How to Write a Cover Letter

The second most important document in your job search for the perfect position may be the cover letter. Not all applications require one but it is a great opportunity to make a first impression.

You will need a specific cover letter for every job application; a form letter is not the answer if you are going to convince a potential employer to call you for an interview. The goal of your cover letter is to be dynamic and specific highlighting the reasons why you are an appropriate candidate.

We have provided you with a number of tools and resources to make it easy for you. Take what you like from the options below. You’ll be on your way to an interview before you know it.

General rules that apply to cover letters:

• Always send a business standard letter not an email (unless instructed to).
• Be honest and to the point.
• Be unique and focused in your paragraphs.
• Make a personal connection with the target.
• The letter may provide an opportunity to say something you resume doesn’t.
• Target and address the correct individual.
• Be concise in your choice of words.
• Address key selection criteria if relevant.
• Only one page is necessary (anything longer is too much information).
• The objective of the cover letter is to get you to the interview.

Research

A well constructed cover letter is one that sells the concept that you're a good fit for the company to which you're applying. In order to devise a winning sales pitch for your letter, you need to understand what makes the company tick (its products, history, market standing, goals, challenges, mission statement, industry, clientele and corporate culture etc.).

Good places to research company information include:

• The ASX /FTSE/NYSE/NASDAQ/DAX database.
• Dun and Bradstreet 40000 Australian companies.
• The Business sections of The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Financial Review and all the business and financial magazines.
• Your prospective employer's company literature.
• Your professional and personal network.
• The Company Website or web presence eg facebook etc.

The initial impact must be good enough to grab the employer’s attention right away with the first sentence of your letter. The point of your introduction phrasing is to engage the decision maker or executive who may have the influence you need.

The phrase you want to cause is something like, "Here's the sort of person I want on the team” or “This is a person who knows what they are talking about!" If you can achieve this kind of response, you already have your target wanting to meet you.

Thank You Letters or Emails

Depending on the circumstances, it may be appropriate to send thank you letters as follows:

• Thank you for the job interview.
• Thank you for the job offer.
• I appreciate your letter advising me that I have been unsuccessful.
• Thank you for the information meeting.

You may be surprised how very few people use a thank you letter but in the right context it can be very powerful. The final way of ensuring the interviewer doesn’t forget you in a competitive market.