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How a Cover Letter Can Boost Your Chances

The longer your experience, the shorter and more direct your cover letter.
For some senior executives, this may be the new rule to writing these introductory letters. They're viewing them as lead-ins to their resumes and offering only brief introductions and perhaps a testimonial about their character and leadership qualities. In a competitive job market, it's crucial to differentiate yourself from the competition. In many cases, your cover letter is your first contact with employers. If you don't impress an employer right away, you may not get the attention you want. Don't bore employers with lengthy descriptions and paragraphs. Make your letter concise -- no more than a page -- by following this three-step format. Tell readers:

1. Why you are writing;
2. Why they should be interested in you; and
3. What action needs to be taken next? Here, for instance, you might say that you will follow up and call within 10 days, instead of waiting for the employer to contact you.

Here are additional tips from candidates and career counselors on how to write creative yet powerful cover letters:

 

Make it personal

Your letter should be interesting and relevant to the employer while including pertinent facts about your candidacy. It also should reflect your personality .Don't send a really hot, aggressive letter if you're introverted and laid-back, you’ll have trouble following up on the letter, and you may not come across well. Send a letter that mirrors your style.

 

Let others praise your abilities

One way to be memorable is by offering a quote about you that demonstrates your uniqueness

 

Use research to differentiate yourself

Invest time and effort in preparing a really outstanding document. Start by researching your potential employer

 

Tailor your comments to the employer's needs

Don't use a one-size-fits-all approach. Mid- to senior-level executives should include outstanding accomplishments that apply to the employer's situation. Candidates must tailor their cover letters to make it clear that they have solved similar problems in the past. But don't explain how you solved those problems. Make the hiring manager invite you to interview before you share that information.

 

Don't mention money

While you may believe that stating your financial needs will help your candidacy, it's almost never wise to mention pay at this point.

 

Take calculated risks

Confident executives may want to go against the grain and introduce a perceived negative, thereby turning it into a positive.

 

Test your letter's effectiveness

To be sure your letter makes the right impression, send it first to a handful of trusted friends and colleagues and ask them for their candid opinion. Have them tell you whether it reads well and reflects your goals and personality. If the feedback is positive, begin sending it to employers.