Network to Work Meeting Resource Materials – July 2015 How to Write a Memorable Cover Letter How to Write a Cover Letter: 31 Tips You Need to Know
Ah, the dreaded cover letter. Every time you sit down to write one, you probably browse cover letter
examples online, get overwhelmed, and think something to the effect of: Does anyone really read
these? Wouldn’t it be so much easier if I could just let my resume speak for itself?
First off: Yes, we can assure you that cover letters do, in fact, get read. In fact, to some hiring
managers, they’re the most important part of your application. And yes, while it would be easier to let
your resume speak for itself, if that was the case you’d completely miss the opportunity to tell
prospective employers who you are, showcase why they should hire you, and stand out above all the
other candidates.
Ready to get started? To make sure your cover letter is in amazing shape (and is as painless as
possible to write), we’ve compiled our 31 best cover letter tips of all time into one place.
Read on—then get cover letter writing.
1. Don’t Regurgitate Your Resume
Instead of just repeating yourself (“I was in charge of reviewing invoice disputes”), use your cover letter
to describe additional details that you weren’t able to squeeze onto the single page of your resume: “By
resolving invoice disputes, I gained a deep analytical knowledge—but more importantly, I learned how
to interact calmly and diplomatically with angry customers.” A cover letter gives you the freedom to use
full sentences—instead of bullet points—so use them to expand upon your resume points and tell the
story of why you’re the perfect fit for the company.
2. Think Not What the Company Can Do for You
A common cover letter mistake? Talking about how great the position would be for you and your
resume. Frankly, hiring managers are aware of that—what they really want to know is what you’re
going to bring to the position and company. On that note:
3. Clearly Show What You’re Capable Of
Beyond explaining what you’ve done in the past, show hiring managers what you can do in the future.
“Determine the key requirements and priorities for this job, and make it instantly clear to the reviewer
that you can deliver the goods on these key things,” says Jenny Foss, job search expert and founder of
1 JobJenny.com. “Consider crafting a section within the letter that begins with, ‘Here’s what, specifically, I
can deliver in this role.’ And then expound upon your strengths in a few of the priority requirements for
that role.”
4. Showcase Your Skills
When you know you have the potential to do the job—but your past experience doesn’t totally sell you
as the perfect one for the position—try focusing on your skills, instead.
5. …Not Necessarily Your Education
Many new grads make the mistake of over-focusing on their educational backgrounds. At the end of the
day, what hiring managers care about most is your work experience (and yes, that can be volunteer or
internship experience, too)—and what you can walk through the door and deliver on Day 1.
6. Don’t Apologize for Skills You Don’t Have
When you don’t meet all of the job requirements, it’s common for job seekers to use lines like, “Despite
my limited experience with marketing…” or “While I only have work experience doing administrative
tasks…” But why apologize? Instead of drawing attention to your weaknesses, try to focus on the skills
you do have, says career expert Lily Zhang. “Stay positive, focus on your strengths, and immediately
launch into your transferable skills and infectious enthusiasm for the position.”
7. Highlight the Right Experiences
Not sure what skills and experiences you should be featuring? Drop the text of the job description into a
word cloud tool like Wordle, and see what stands out. That’s what the hiring manager is looking for
most.
8. Tell a Story
What brings you to this company? Did you used to sing along to all of its commercials as a kid? Did the
product make some incredible difference in your life? Do you sometimes pull into the parking lot and
daydream about what it would feel like to work there? Stories bring your background and experiences
to life, so feel free to tell them. (Just, you know, keep them short and to the point.)
9. Use a Few Numbers
When it comes to the job search, numbers often speak louder than words. “Offer stats to illustrate your
impact on companies or associations you’ve worked for in the past,” suggests career expert and
founder of ProfessionGal Megan Broussard. “Employers love to see numbers—it shows them that you
speak their language and that you understand what they’re looking for in an employee: results.”
10. Consider Testimonials
If you have great feedback from old co-workers, bosses, or clients, don’t be afraid to use it! A seamless
way to integrate a positive quote from a previous manager or client is to use it as evidence of your
passion for your area of expertise. For example, “I have developed a keen interest in data science
during my years working various political campaigns (as my past supervisor once said, I love Excel
more than anyone she knows).”
2 11. Cut the Formality
“Don’t be overly formal (‘I wish to convey my interest in filling the open position at your fine
establishment’),” writes career expert Mark Slack. “It makes you seem insincere and even robotic, not
anything like the friendly, approachable, and awesome-to-work-with person you are.
12. Think Custom, Not Canned
Most companies want to see that you’re truly excited about the position and company, which means
creating a custom letter for each position you apply for. “When a recruiter reads, ‘Dear Hiring Manager,
I am so excited to apply for the open position at your company, where I hope to utilize my skills to
progress in my career,’ he or she immediately recognizes it for what it is—a stock cover letter that
you’ve mass-distributed to every place in town,” says Muse career expert Katie Douthwaite. And then
probably throws it in the trash.
13. Start With a Template
That said, there’s nothing that says you can’t get a little help. Our easy, downloadable cover letter guide
will walk you through, step-by-step, how to create a cover letter that rocks.
14. …Or Some Inspiration
Having trouble getting started? Check out 31 examples (SEE NEXT ARTICLE) of how to start your
cover letter in an engaging, attention-grabbing way or these eight examples of awesome cover letters
that actually worked. (https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-8-cover-letters-you-need-to-readnow?ref=search)
15. Be Open to Other Formats
If you’re applying to a more traditional company, then the tried-and-true three-to-five-paragraph format
probably makes sense. However, if you’re gunning for a more creative or startup job—or need to
explain to the hiring manager, say, how your career has taken you from teaching to business
development, a different approach could be appropriate. Here at The Muse, we’ve seen cover letters
use bullet points, tell stories, or showcase videos to (successfully) get their point across. This
professional even turned hers into a BuzzFeed-style list!
16. But Don’t Go Too Far
Like this guy did. Just—don’t.
17. Consider Adding a Headline
One formatting idea from The Undercover Recruiter? Add an eye-catching headline to your letter, like
“3 Reasons I’m an Excellent Fit for the Marketing Manager Position.” Again, no one says you have to
follow the tried-and-true format, and this can be an easy way to catch the hiring manager’s eye quickly.
18. Be Real
“Honest, genuine writing always goes much, much further than sticking to every dumb rule you’ve ever
read in stale, outdated career guides and college textbooks,” explains Foss.
19. ...And Normal
We can’t tell you how many cover letters we’ve seen from people who are “absolutely thrilled for the
opportunity” or “very excitedly applying!” Downplay the adverbs a bit, and just write like a normal
person.
3 20. Cut the Fluff
Avoid, at all costs, describing yourself as a “team player” or a “people person,” says Broussard.
“Instead, show off your skills with descriptive statements like ‘I’m an expert communicator with
experience bringing together diverse departments to develop a cohesive program.’ It’s longer—but it’s
also stronger.”
21. Write in the Company’s “Voice”
Cover letters are a great way to show that you understand the environment and culture of the company
and industry and prove that you’ve got what they are looking for. So, always keep in mind who will be
reading your cover letter, and tailor it to what you know will get them excited. Spending five or 10
minutes reading over the company website before you get started can be a great way to get in the right
mindset—you’ll get a sense for the company’s tone, language, and culture, which are all things you’ll
want to mirror as you’re writing.
22. Boost Your Confidence Before Writing
Writing guru Alexandra Franzen offers a simple mind trick that will dramatically change the way you
write cover letters: Pretend. “Pretend that the person you’re writing to already loves and respects you.
Pretend that the person you’re writing to already believes that you’re worthy and valuable. Pretend that
the person you’re writing to doesn’t need a big sales pitch,” she explains. Then, write. Your words will
come out so much easier.
23. Have Some Fun With It
News flash: Cover letter writing doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, there are plenty of ways to spice it
up! Hoping for a job at a startup? Making your cover letter more creative—whether you use a spunkier
tone, play with the format, or make it more visual—will likely improve your chances of getting a call
back. Applying for a corporate position? Stick with the traditional format, but make it more
conversational, or include a story about how you first came in contact with the company or how much
you love it. Much more fun, right?
24. Don’t Let Your Fear of Bragging Get in the Way
If you tend to have a hard time writing about yourself, here’s a quick trick: Imagine you’re someone else
writing a letter about yourself. Think from the perspective of a friend, mentor, or previous employer—
someone who would only sing your praises—and then write the letter from her point of view. If it helps,
you can even write the letter in third person (i.e. “Erin would be a great fit for this position because…”).
Just make sure you’re very careful about going back through and changing it to first person when
you’re done!
25. Have Someone Gut Check It
Have a friend take a look at your cover letter, and ask him or her two questions: Does this sell me as
the best person for the job? and Does it get you excited? If the answer to either is “no,” or even slight
hesitation, go back for another pass.
26. Keep it Short and Sweet
There are always exceptions to the rule, but in general, for resumes and cover letters alike, don’t go
over a page. “According to the Orange County Resume Survey, almost 70% of employers either want a
half page cover letter (250 words) or ‘the shorter the better,’ approach,” writes Slack.
4 27. Don’t Start With Your Name
Because, well, the hiring manager can see it already on your resume. Get right to the point with what
you can bring to the job.
28. But Do Include the Hiring Manager’s Name
Use the person’s first and last name, including a “Mr.” or “Ms.” (e.g., Mr. Jack Smith). Never use “To
Whom it May Concern” or “Dear or Sir or Madam”—nothing could be more generic (not to mention
archaic).
29. Unless You Don’t Know It
OK, sometimes, even after hours of online searching, you still might not be able to definitively figure out
who exactly the hiring manager for the position you’re applying for is. If you can only find a list of
executives and you’re not completely confident who the hiring manager is, use the head of the
department for the position you’re applying for. If you really don’t have a name to use, try to still be as
specific as possible in your greeting. Consider using “Senior Analyst Hiring Manager” or “Research
Manager Search Committee”—something that shows that you’ve written this letter with a particular
audience in mind.
30. Edit
We shouldn’t have to tell you to run your cover letter through spell-check, but here’s an even better
step: Check out how the wording sounds to others using Hemingway. Drop your text onto the page, and
the color-coded app will give your writing a once-over. Is a sentence too wordy, overly complex, or
totally unreadable? It’ll be highlighted in red until you revise it. Tend to overuse the passive voice?
Every instance of it will show up in green. The site will even recommend when you can use shorter or
simpler words (Why take up precious resume space with “utilize” when you can say “use?”).
31. But Care Most About Standing Out
Perhaps the best piece of cover letter wisdom we can offer you comes from Foss: The most memorable
cover letters are written by people who care less about the rules and more about standing out to the
hiring manager. “Next time you sit down to write a cover letter, vow to not get uptight about all the tiny
little ‘rules’ you’ve picked up along the way,” she writes. “Instead, buck convention. Be memorable. Nail
the stuff that will make you a true standout.”
Source: https://www.themuse.com/advice/how‐to‐write‐a‐cover‐letter‐31‐tips‐you‐need‐to‐know 5 31 Attention‐Grabbing Cover Letter Examples Traditional cover letter wisdom tells you to start a cover letter with something to the effect of:
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to apply for the position of Marketing Manager with the Thomas Company.
We say: The days of cookie cutter cover letter intros are long gone.
Here’s the thing: Your cover letter is the best way to introduce to the hiring manager who you are, what
you have to offer, and why you want the job—but you have an extremely limited amount of time to do
all of those things. So, if you really want to get noticed, you’ve got to start right off the bat with
something that grabs your reader’s attention.
What do we mean? Well, we won’t just tell you, we’ll show you—with 31 examples of original cover
letter introductions. We don’t recommend copying and pasting them because, well, your cover letter
should be unique to your stories, background, and interests, but you can most definitely use them to get
inspired for your next application.
Start With a Passion
Many companies say that they’re looking for people who not only have the skills to do the job, but who
are truly passionate about what they’re spending their time on every day. If that’s what your dream
company is really looking for (hint: read the job description), try an intro that shows off why you’re so
excited to be part of the team.
If truly loving data is wrong, I don’t want to be right. It seems like the rest of the team at Chartbeat feels
the same way—and that’s just one of the reasons why I think I’d be the perfect next hire for your sales
team.
I’ve been giving my friends and family free style advice since I was 10, and recently decided it’s time I
get paid for it. That’s why I couldn’t believe it when I found a personal stylist position at J. Hilburn.
After about three years of trying out different roles at early-stage startups around San Francisco,
watching more “find your passion” keynotes than I’d like to admit, and assuring my parents that, yes, I
really do have a real job, I’m starting to come to terms with the fact that I’m only really good at two
things: writing great content and getting it out into the world.
When I was growing up, all I wanted to be was one of those people who pretend to be statues on the
street. Thankfully, my career goals have become a little more aspirational over the years, but I love to
draw a crowd and entertain the masses—passions that make me the perfect community manager.
When I graduated from Ohio State last May, my career counselor gave me what I consider to be some
pretty bad advice: “Just get any job, and figure the rest out later.” While I think I could have gained good
transferrable skills and on-the-job experience anywhere, I wanted to make sure my first step gave me
opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and rotations through different departments.
Enter: Verizon.
6 The other day, I took a career assessment, which told me I should be a maritime merchant. I’m not
quite sure what that is, but it did get me thinking: A role that combines my skills in business
development with my lifelong passion for the ocean would be my absolute dream. Which is how I found
this role at Royal Caribbean.
Start With Your Love for the Company
Similarly, many companies want to hire people who already know, love, eat, and sleep their brand. And
in these cases, what better to kick off your cover letter than a little flattery? Bonus points if you can tell a
story—studies show that stories are up to 22 times more memorable than facts alone.
Of course, remember when you’re telling a company why you love it to be specific and genuine.
Because, um, no one likes an overly crazed fangirl.
I pretty much spent my childhood in the cheap seats at Cubs games, snacking on popcorn and
cheering on the team with my grandfather. It’s that passion that’s shaped my career—from helping to
establish the sports marketing major at my university to leading a college baseball team to an
undefeated season as assistant coach—and what led me to apply for this position at the Chicago
Cubs.
Most candidates are drawn to startups for the free food, bean bag chairs, and loose dress code. And
while all of those things sound awesome coming from my all-too-corporate cubicle, what really attracted
me to Factual is the collaborative, international team.
It was Rudy, my Golden Retriever, who first found the operations assistant opening (he’s really excited
about the prospect of coming to work with me every day). But as I learned more about Zoosk and what
it is doing to transform the mobile dating space, I couldn’t help but get excited to be part of the team,
too.
When I was seven, I wanted to be the GEICO gecko when I grew up. I eventually realized that wasn’t
an option, but you can imagine my excitement when I came across the events manager position, which
would have me working side by side with my favorite company mascot.
When I attended Austin Film Festival for the first time last month, I didn’t want to leave. So I decided I
shouldn’t—and immediately went to check out job openings at the company.
If I could make the NYC apartment rental process better for just one person, I would feel like the horrors
of my recent search would all be worth it. So, a customer service role at RentHop, where I could do it
every day? I can’t think of anything more fulfilling.
Having grown up with the Cincinnati Zoo (literally) in my backyard, I understand firsthand how you’ve
earned your reputation as one of the most family-friendly venues in the State of Ohio. For 20 years, I’ve
been impressed as your customer; now I want to impress visitors in the same way your team has so
graciously done for me.
I was an hour out from my first big dinner party when I realized I had forgotten to pick up the white wine.
In a panic, I started Googling grocery delivery services, and that’s when I first stumbled across
7 Instacart. I’ve been hooked ever since, so I couldn’t help but get excited by the idea of bringing the
amazingness of Instacart to shoddy planners like me as your next social media and community
manager.
Though I’m happily employed as a marketing manager for OHC, seeing the job description for Warby
Parker’s PR director stopped me in my tracks. I’ve been a Warby glasses wearer for many years, and
have always been impressed by the way the company treats its customers, employees, and the
community at large.
Start With an Attribute or Accomplishment
The unfortunate reality of the job hunting process is that, for any given job, you’re going to be
competing with a lot of other people—presumably, a lot of other similarly qualified people. So, a great
way to stand out in your cover letter is to highlight something about yourself—a character trait, an
accomplishment, a really impressive skill—that’ll quickly show how you stand out among other
applications.
My last boss once told me that my phone manner could probably diffuse an international hostage
situation. I’ve always had a knack for communicating with people—the easygoing and the difficult
alike—and I’d love to bring that skill to the office manager position at Shutterstock.
Among my colleagues, I’m known as the one who can pick up the pieces, no matter what amount of
you-know-what hits the fan. Which is why I think there’s no one better to fill Birchbox’s customer service
leader position.
Last December, I ousted our company’s top salesperson from his spot—and he hasn’t seen it since.
Which means, I’m ready for my next big challenge, and the sales manager role at LivingSocial just
might be it.
After spending three years managing the internal communications for a 2,000-person company, I could
plan a quarterly town hall or draft an inter-office memo in my sleep. What I want to do next? Put that
experience to work consulting executives on their communications strategy.
While you won’t find the title “community manager” listed on my resume, I’ve actually been bringing
people together online and off for three years while running my own blog and series of Meetups.
If you’re looking for someone who can follow orders to the T and doesn’t like to rock the boat, I’m
probably not the right candidate. But if you need someone who can dig in to data, see what’s working
(and what’s not), and challenge the status quo, let’s talk.
Ever since my first job at Dairy Queen (yes, they DO let you eat the ice cream!) I’ve been careerfocused. I completed my first internship with a professional football team while I was still in college. I
was hired full-time as soon as I graduated, and within six months I was promoted into a brand new
department. I thought I knew it all. But as I’ve progressed in my career, I finally realized…I absolutely
do not. Shocker, right? Enter The Muse.
You might be wondering what a 15-year veteran of the accounting world is doing applying to an
operations role at a food startup like ZeroCater. While I agree the shift is a little strange, I know you’re
looking for someone who’s equal parts foodie and financial guru, and I think that means I’m your guy.
8 Over the last 10 years, I’ve built my career on one simple principle: Work smarter. I’m the person who
looks for inefficient procedures, finds ways to streamline them, and consistently strives to boost the
productivity of everyone around me. It’s what’s earned me three promotions in the supply chain
department at my current company, and it’s what I know I can do as the new operations analyst for
SevOne.
Start With Humor or Creativity
OK, before you read any of these, we feel we have to stamp them with a big disclaimer: Do your
homework before trying anything like this—learning everything you can about the company, the hiring
manager, and whether or not they’ll appreciate some sass or snark. If they do, it’s a great way to make
them smile (then call you). If they don’t? Well, better luck next time.
I’m interested in the freelance writer position. But before I blow you away with all the reasons I’m going
to be your next writer, I would like to tell you a little about myself: I didn’t grow hair until I was about five
years old, which made everyone who crossed my stroller’s path believe me to be a boy (my name is
Casey, which definitely didn’t help). Hope I got your attention.
Have you ever had your mom call five times a day asking for a status update on how your job search is
going, and then sounding incredulous that not more progress has been made since the last phone call?
That’s my life right now. But I’m hoping that soon my life will revolve around being your full-time social
media manager. The good news is, I bring more to the table than just an overbearing mom. Let me tell
you more.
Thank you so much for offering me the marketing manager position at Airbnb! I wholeheartedly accept.
OK, I know we’re not quite there yet. But if we were, here are just a few ideas of what I would do once
in the role.
You’ve slept on it. You’ve made lists of pros and cons. You’ve talked to your life coach, your
hairdresser, and every barista on your block. So why haven’t you made your decision yet? When you’re
looking for advice, what you need is not more, but better. If you’re constantly plagued with tough career
decisions and presentation-day butterflies, you need an advocate, a listener, and sometimes, a kick in
the pants. You need Rachel Elizabeth Maley.
I considered submitting my latest credit card statement as proof of just how much I love online
shopping, but I thought a safer approach might be writing this cover letter, describing all the reasons
why I’m the girl who can take STYLIGHT’s business to the next level.
I never thought that accidentally dropping my iPhone out of a second story window would change my
life (it’s a funny story—ask me about it). But thanks to my misfortune, I discovered iCracked—and found
my dream job as an expansion associate.
If we were playing “Two Truths and a Lie,” I’d say the following: I’ve exceeded my sales quotas by at
least 20% every quarter this year, I once won an international pie-eating contest, and I have an
amazing job at Yext. The last, of course, is the lie. For now.
Source: https://www.themuse.com/advice/31‐attentiongrabbing‐cover‐letter‐examples?ref=search 9