I was recently asked this by one of the members of my mailing list. She was wondering if a new approach to writing cover letters might help improve her chances.

First off, I would have to say that there are many different approaches to writing cover letters that might work, and it would be hard to nail down specific problem points without reading some recent letters. But, in general, my preference has always been direct and to-the-point, without a bunch of extraneous “flourish.”

As mentioned in an earlier post, what works for one recruiter might not work for another. Some recruiters love to read cover letters, others slog through them, and others don’t read them at all. I contend it’s best to write one anyway.

If you aren’t getting the responses you hope for, are you writing each toward a specific position or just toward a “type of position? Remember the cover letter has to outline the “What’s In It For Me” from the recruiter’s perspective, so you need to figure out what their needs are, and then write toward how you plan to fill it. It’s okay to outline your general arguments for each type of position, but you should always fill in specifics for each position.

While there is no perfect format, here’s one I like to use. 

Dear (Name):

Paragraph 1: I am writing to apply for the X position which I saw advertised at Y. This position is a strong match for my education, skills and experience.

Paragraph 2: Briefly summarize your education and experience. For example:

Since graduating from X program, I have… or Over the past Y years, I have…

Paragraph 3: Transition into some specific examples of your experience that match the needs of the position. This is a great place to mention accomplishments and awards.

Paragraph 4: Briefly state why you want the job, and show that you are motivated.

Paragraph 5: Ask for the interview, indicate how you may be contacted, put in any brief details about your plan to follow up with the recruiter about your candidacy, and thank the reader for reading.

Sincerely yours,

Name

Let’s go through the logic for each paragraph.

Paragraph 1: It’s simple and direct, and that shows respect for the reader’s time. It also ends with a bold premise: that the job is a strong match for your education, skills and abilities. The reader will want to know why you think that, and will read on to confirm or refute that assertion.

Paragraph 2: Gives your history in broad strokes, to pique the reader’s interest in learning more  (from the letter, and hopefully the résumé.) Again, be brief and encapsulate as much relevant information as you possibly can. If you aren’t sure what to say here, go back to your elevator speech, if you have one.

Paragraph 3: Gives a few specific examples that relate directly to the job you are applying for. This shows that you are not making a generic application, and that you have applicable skills and experience

Paragraph 4: Reinforces the idea that you are motivated toward the specific position. And motivation is a big part of the concept of “fit,” and that is the overriding concern of most hiring agents.

Paragraph 5:  Ties everything together by directly asking for an interview, clarifying how you can be reached, and laying out your plan for following up. (Which again shows you are serious about your application.

This format just lays out a simple structure for putting together an argument. You can write the letter in paragraph form, bullets, or a mixed format. Your unique education, skills, experiences and examples will be what keeps the recruiter reading. You can adjust this if you need to, but resist the temptation to go long with multiple examples or too many bullets. You don’t want your cover letter to read like a laundry list. It will get boring and repetitive and the reader may “lose steam” and move on.

Remember that the cover letter’s job is to make the recruiter’s job easier, by highlighting relevant information about your career and getting the person to read your résumé. Your résumé needs to keep this attention and leave the reader feeling that they want to know more about you, and that results in an interview. So don’t overdo the details on your cover letter. Describe the breadth and depth of your experience and give a few examples that are directly relevant to the position. Show that you are motivated, and ask for an interview. Than promise to follow up. Leave the rest for your actual interviews.