At best, a cover letter can help a job - seeker stand out from the pack. At worst, it can make a promising candidate seem like an uncreative cut - and - paster. Here are six golden rules for writing a cover letter somebody will actually want to read.
1)Don't repeat your resume
A lot of people write cover letters as if they were paragraph - form resumes. Fact is, your letter will be stapled (or attached to the same email) as your actual resume, so you can assume that they'll at least glance at it (and probably with a keener eye than your cover letter). Instead, use your cover letter to show personality, curiosity, and an interest in the field you are applying to work in.
2)Keep it short
Less. Is. More. Three paragraphs, tops. Half a page, tops. Skip lengthy exposition and jump right into something juicy.
3)Address Nobody
Sometimes, you don't know exactly who you should be addressing your letter to. Nix the generic and bland "Dear Hiring Manager" or "To Whom It May Concern". If you absolutely don't know who you should be addressing, then don't address anybody. Instead, just jump right into the body of the letter.
4)Send it as a PDF
Not every office computer can read .docx or .pages files, but virtually everybody can open a PDF file without any conversion. File conversions are bad for two huge reasons. First, they are just as likely to not bother and move onto the next applicant.
5)Never ever, ever use the following phrase
"My name is ___, and I am applying for the position as ____". They already know this, and you'll sound inexperienced.
6)Close strong
Finish off by quickly (and I mean quickly) explaining how your experience or worldview will help you at the job. That's key. That's the closer. And it can be done in one to two seconds. If it goes any longer, you are just rambling
