17 Tips to Write a Cover
Letter that Will Get You
Noticed!
Mr. Endicott
Job Search Class
It’s not just a structure you need to
follow, like an “ABC” formula – it’s a
mindset you need to get into.
 These tips will help you get into that
mindset
 Cover letter should be simple BUT
remember this is probably your
first introduction to the employer

Tip 1: Get into the Right Mindset - What
is the purpose of a Cover Letter?


You are the product you're trying to sell, the
resume is your marketing brochure that tells the
buyer about the product and the cover letter is
your “commercial”
Cover letter is a “teaser” for your resume. It
says “look here!” It’s demonstrates your
professionalism, your personality and your
communication skills, right off the bat.
Tip 2: Sell, Sell, Sell
Yourself to a Hiring
Manager, Recruiter or
Human Resources
Get your point across quickly
 It is very easy to skim and still get the
most important facts from it easily

Tip 3: Don’t Make Your Cover
Letter Generic….Target the
Position You are Applying For
Never “to whom it may concern” or “Dear
Sir/Ms.”
• Make an effort to find out the actual
name, with the right spelling of the person
who’s going to be reading
it.
•
Tip 4: Make the Letter Addressed
to Someone not Something
What job are you interested in? Make it
clear!!
 Each cover letter you write is going to be
written for a particular job

Tip 5 -Write the Cover Letter to
the Job
How can you help the employer?
 What's in it for them?
 What are you bringing to the table?

Tip 6 -Address Their Challenges
and Your Solutions
In the body of the letter, you can go into a
few details that support what you just told
the reader
 DON’T just copy and paste items from
your resume!
 Don’t tell them what they
are going to read on the
next page!

Tip 7: Support Your Solutions
List a few of them and note how you fit
 If you don’t have a specific job description
you’re applying for, feel free to just pull
the stats that sell you
 Why are you good at what
you do? And where's your
proof?

Tip 8: Use Their Job Description
and Requirements
Numbers are what really get the attention
of most hiring managers
 It proves you are just not talk!
 Offer an objective measure of your
achievement, in whatever
form that takes for your
industry

Tip 9: Quantify,
Qualify and Measure
Your cover letter should complement your
resume!
 You can direct the hiring manager’s
attention to the parts
of your resume he
would be most
interested in

Tip 10: Do Not Copy and Paste
Parts of Your Resume into Your
Cover Letter
You can use them but it is your choice
 Good to point out a list of activities
 They are easy to read
 Be cautious it does not turn into your
resume

Tip 11: You Can Use Bullet Points


Sum up why they should see you, and let
them know when you intend to follow up
with a phone call
“I am very excited about the potential for the
company and this position, and know that my
skills in x, y, z will
advance your goals for
the division. I look
forward to discussing it
with you, and I will call
within a few days to set up
a time to meet. Thank
you for your
consideration.”
Tip 12: Close With a Call to Action


You want your cover letter to stand out,
and be unique!
“I became interested in the management
field ever since I was a young age. My father
owned a small business in WV and at age 10
I was expected to work weekends for him.
After years of working there I understood
what a strong work ethic meant because my
father gave it to me and I firmly believe this
value is a number 1 requirement for any
business. I hope to bring my work ethic to
your organization.”
Tip 13: Be Yourself and Reflect
that in Your Cover Letter

Spell-check doesn’t catch everything, so
you need an actual person to go over it
Tip 14: Spell check and proofread
again and again
Never go over 1 one page
 If you do you take a chance on losing the
reader
 They have hundreds of letters and
resumes to read

Tip 15: One Page Only!
If they don’t respond and you already tried
calling/ leaving a message and they didn’t
call back:
• Wait a few weeks, write a new one, and sent it
again
• Include some new piece of information you’ve
learned about the company
Tip 16: Overcoming Follow-up
Issues
Tip 17: Get Ready to Sell Even if
You are not a Salesperson