How to Improve Your Cover Letter Writing Skills

Applying for jobs can be a very exacting process, and one of the best ways to make a good impression is to have an excellent cover letter. In the simplest terms, a cover letter lays out who you are, why you’re interested in a certain position or company, and why you think you would be a good fit to work there. The cover letter usually accompanies your resume and serves as a personal introduction to the hiring team at wherever you are applying. Having a solid cover letter is crucial since many jobs will throw out applications simply for having lackluster letters, or use computer algorithms to cut out applicants before their submissions are even seen by human eyes. Thus, in order to have the best shot at landing a position, it’s important to correct common letter-writing mistakes. Use this guide to formulate your best cover letter and increase your chances of being hired.

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Skip cover letter generators

There are many websites on the internet that claim to generate free cover letters for you. You’ll enter information, like your name, the name of the company, the position you’re applying for, and your relevant skills, and the site will write a letter for you. Not only are these websites not really free, asking you to sign up and pay for a subscription after the fact, but the letters they create are incredibly impersonal and robotic. Often they craft sentences that are overly stiff and communicate no emotion whatsoever while stuffing obnoxious corporate buzzwords in at every opportunity. Your cover letter should function as your opportunity to pitch yourself and your abilities to a potential employer, and while professionalism is important, you don’t want to come across as disingenuous. It’s best that you write a cover letter by yourself. It may take more time and effort to put your thoughts into words in a professional manner, but it will make a better impression and increase your chances of moving along in the hiring process.

Don’t reuse the same cover letter over and over

After you’ve written your first cover letter, you may be tempted to reuse it for every job application you fill out. After all, most of the hard work is done, and you can just plug in different company names, addresses, and dates. While it might be tempting to do this, it’s not putting your best foot forward. Every cover letter you write should be tailored to your different opportunities. Each job you apply for may require different skills, so you’ll want to highlight different achievements or experiences you’ve had in the past. Reusing the same cover letter over and over could come across as disconnected, and as previously mentioned the goal of a cover letter is to pitch yourself to employers, so relying on the same pitch each time won’t work for every employer. Varying your approach with each application will better demonstrate your qualifications for many jobs.

Tell a story

A hiring manager isn’t looking for a robot to simply do a job for them; they’re looking for a human being who has ambition and goals. A cover letter can be a great opportunity to explain who you are and what you’re about. You can draw from your past and explain how you’ve overcome adversity and obstacles, and how that experience would benefit the company in the position you’re applying for. You can also explain your experience in the field you’re hoping to enter and showcase your passion for the job. Telling a story will help hiring managers get to know you, allowing them to not only evaluate if you can do the job but also if you would be a good culture fit for the company. A personable cover letter may even elevate you above other more experienced candidates if the hiring manager thinks you will better mesh with coworkers than them.

End with a call to action

It’s important to end your cover letter strong, and one of the best ways to do that is to have a call to action. This communicates to your hiring manager that you are aware of the company’s goals or problems and have an active interest in trying to solve them. It’s also more engaging than a simple “looking forward to hearing from you,” and inspires further conversation, which could help your chances of landing the position.

Searching for jobs is a stressful experience. Sometimes it feels like you can apply to dozens of opportunities and hear back from none of them. This might be because your cover letter is subpar, failing to paint yourself in the best possible light. Improving your cover letter can make it so you’re seriously considered for positions, and increase your chances of getting the job. Use the tips in this guide to craft your best cover letter and put your best foot forward for hiring managers.