Create a Killer Resume and Cover Letter

12 Essential Cover Letter Rules for Job Seekers

We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Writing a cover letter can be incredibly frustrating. Not only is it a vital document in your job search, but it may even hold more importance than your resume. Yet, the salutation “To whom it may concern” feels incredibly generic and impersonal.

Who wants to receive a letter addressed to no one? If you’re using this outdated salutation, rest assured it will catch nobody’s attention and find its way to the trash bin. Let me share some valuable cover letter tips that will increase your chances of getting noticed.

How to Write Killer Cover Letters & Resumes
$9.99

Stand out from all the rest by crafting letters and resumes that will blow people away. This career reference guide provides a simple, compelling and foolproof way to create both cover letters and resumes that are uniquely powerful and, most importantly, virtually guarantees you the high value job interviews and career you really want.

Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Walmart.com
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
09/28/2024 06:01 pm GMT

Do I have to?

Yes, you have to write a cover letter. This is your cover letter and your first impression. It can be the single reason why your resume is or is not considered. Even if you have the best resume in the world with the most amazing work experience, a missing or poorly written cover letter may ruin any chance of getting your resume seen by the right people.

Hiring managers can be very selective about the few people they will hire. With sometimes hundreds of resumes to sort through, a cover letter may be all they have time to review in considering whether or not to read your resume.

Nail your next job application by mastering the art of the cover letter! Discover key rules that make your cover letter stand out and leave a lasting impression on employers. #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #CoverLetter #JobHunt #JobSeekers #CareerTips Click To Tweet

1. Do Your Homework

Research is the key, and with a bit of persistence, you should be able to locate the name of the contact that you are to send your cover letter to if you do not have it already.

Anyone can send a cover letter without an addressee. It takes someone willing to put in a little time to find out the hiring manager’s name. What will this do for you? Well for one, you can address the cover letter to the hiring manager this will get a few points for you.

You can look up the hiring manager on LinkedIn and get some key information that will help you cover some of the topics that you now know the manager has experienced. Whatever you do, do not use to whom it may concern as it looks like you didn’t take the time to do the research. So what salutation should you use?

2. “To Whom it May Concern” is the Worst

These days there is really no excuse to not find out the name of who you want to send your resume.  But it still may be confusing how to start your cover letter. Do you include the first name? Is Hello too casual? And what if you can’t find the hiring manager’s name? Here are a few alternatives for “to whom it may concern”.

  • Dear {First Name Last Name}
  • Dear Mr./Ms. {Last Name}
  • Hello, {First Name}
  • Dear {Company Name}
  • Dear {Hiring Manager}
  • Dear {First Name}
  • Dear {Job Title}
  • Dear {Name of department}
  • 3. Perfection is Required

Make sure you have the correct name (and spelling!) of the person that you will be addressing the cover letter to. review your cover letter and make sure there are no grammatical or spelling errors.  If your cover letter contains errors, the hiring manager is not likely to take a look at your resume.  Have a friend or relative review your letter.

Kickresume | Best Online Resume & Cover Letter Builder

Your success story begins with a resume.


Create a beautiful resume, impress your future employer, 

and score the job you’ve always wanted.

Create Your Resume and Cover Letter
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

3. Read and Understand the Job Requirements

Read the job requirements and ensure you feel there is a good fit with your experience. Highlight major responsibilities and indicate why you are a great match. The hiring manager will know you took the time to read the job description and compare it to your experience and abilities.

4. Leverage Your Network

When you are looking for work, it is no time to be shy. If you know someone at a company where you are sending a cover letter or have a contact in your network who can help you get your foot in the door, now is the time to use it. So many jobs are filled based on who you know, leverage your network, and get an advantage. Take a look at Your Job Search Marketing Toolkit – Networking.

5. Tell them why you are the right person for the job

If you don’t toot your own horn, who will? If you find a job opportunity that is a good fit, make sure your cover letter includes all of the reasons why you are the right person for the job. Maybe you have similar experience or have skills and education that are a perfect match. Whatever the reason, make the point in your cover letter.

Briefly describe why they should consider you for an interview.  Include comments about your strengths that are specific to the opportunity. Remember – you only get one chance to make a good first impression.

6. Short Is Good

Keep your cover letter short and to the point. Your cover letter is meant to provide a great introduction to you and your skills, not your life story. Let your paragraphs be short but powerful (take a look at Your Job Search Marketing Toolkit – Cover Letters).  Don’t go over one page. Even if you have had a lengthy career. Your goal is to encourage the hiring manager to invite you for a personal interview, not eliminate the necessity for one.

7. Include Next Steps

Ask for an interview. Let the hiring manager know that you will be calling to follow up on your letter. Make a note in your calendar and be sure to follow up. To end your letter on a positive note, be sure to thank the reader for his or her consideration.

Follow Up after the Interview: Beyond 'Thank You'
$3.46

The game isn't over when you leave the interview. You're still in a conversation about this job, and you can win it or lose it with what you do after the interview. In this report, I show you the very best follow-up strategies that go way beyond a generic thank you note.

Buy on Amazon
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
09/28/2024 11:47 am GMT

8. Let Your Resume Do the Rest.

Your cover letter is not a duplicate of your resume, so avoid including too much detail. Instead, complement your resume by highlighting key achievements. Focus on sharing what you’ve accomplished throughout your career. While there will be some overlap with explaining why you’re the right fit for the job, the emphasis here should be on showcasing your most important accomplishments to make a strong impact.

Best to pick the ones that specifically match the job, but no need to include thousands of accomplishments. By highlighting accomplishments that illustrate broad and matching experience, you stand a better chance of getting the hiring manager’s attention. Take a look at Understanding the Importance of Keywords in Your Job Search.

Our Pick
2500 Keywords to Get You Hired
$24.08

The most comprehensive reference of its kind, this powerful resume-writing resource gives readers instant access to 2,500 indispensable keywords germane to 300 careers in nine employment categories­

Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Walmart.com
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
09/28/2024 02:47 am GMT

9. Don’t Send Form Letters

Your cover letter should be personalized for each job opportunity and addressed to the specific hiring manager. Sending generic cover letters can make it seem like you’re mass mailing applications without carefully reviewing the position. While tailoring each cover letter may take extra time, the effort will pay off by increasing your chances of landing more interviews. Personalization demonstrates genuine interest in the role and can set you apart from other candidates.

10. Don’t Apologize – Show Confidence

It’s uncommon to meet every skill or requirement listed in a job description, but that doesn’t mean you’re not qualified. Focus on your strengths and relevant skills without highlighting areas where you may not be a perfect fit. Avoid using phrases like “I’m not a perfect fit” or “I don’t have all the required skills.” Instead, maintain confidence in your cover letter by emphasizing why you are the right candidate for the role. Confidence and positivity can make a strong impression on hiring managers, increasing your chances of securing an interview.

JobInterview.coach - Home of most advanced job coach

Our AI Job Interview Coach is designed to help you train and excel in any job interview from the comfort of your home. With personalized coaching and expert guidance, you'll be confidently prepared to make a lasting impression on your potential employer.

Ace your next interview
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

11. Personalize it

If you’re mailing your cover letter, be sure to physically sign it with a pen to add a personal touch. If you’re emailing it, either include your name at the bottom of the email or, if attaching the cover letter separately, ensure your signature is at the end of the document. Adding your signature shows a personal commitment and indicates that you took the time to address the letter thoughtfully. This small detail can make a lasting impression and demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail.

12. Choose a cover letter that suits you and the job

Yes, there are different resume styles and you need to pick one (or more) that fits your career, the company you are applying to, and the type of position. Everything is important, the font, format, and content should be specific to the position. While this may seem extremely hard at first, it is easily overcome by looking at some cover letter samples.

Your cover letter is typically the first thing a recruiter or company HR representative sees. If it is poorly written, it is unlikely that the hiring manager will even look at your resume (so it is important to get this right). Cover letters generally date back to the days of “snail mail” but cover letters have made the transition to the Internet as the content of your email sent when forwarding your resume (or possibly an additional document uploaded to a company career site). Before beginning to write your cover letters, you should take a look at some cover letter examples.

101 Best Cover Letters
$20.00 $14.47

Beat out the competition for the best jobs

Create an image of accomplishment, professionalism, and competence that today’s employers are begging for!

Buy on Amazon
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
09/28/2024 01:03 am GMT

Additional Resources

  1. Knock 'em Dead Cover Letters: Cover Letters and Strategies to Get the Job You Want
    $15.99 $9.89
    Job search expert Martin Yate shows you how to dramatically increase your chance of landing an interview. The key, as Yate explains, is to use language drawn from the job posting itself.
    Learn More

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    09/28/2024 04:53 pm GMT
  2. Get It Done: Write a Cover Letter
    $5.99
    Want to write the perfect cover letter? But don't have time to read through a 300-page book first? Then "Get It Done" is for you. It's fast - The whole book takes about 30 minutes to read.
    Learn More

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    09/28/2024 07:22 am GMT
  3. How to Write Powerful College Student Resumes and Cover Letters: Secrets That Get Job Interviews Like Magic
    $16.95 $16.00
    The ultimate guide for college students and grads seeking interviews in a tough economy. It explains how to transform even modest educational achievements and non-paying life experiences into persuasive statements
    Learn More

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    09/28/2024 12:47 pm GMT
  4. Cover Letters For Dummies
    $25.00
    Cover letters are alive and sell! When they’re written right, that is. To stand out in today’s sea of qualified job seekers, learn to craft riveting new breeds of cover letters.
    Learn More

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    09/28/2024 12:43 pm GMT
  5. Professional Resume Writing Services | Monster.com

    Expert Resume Writers. Affordable prices up front. Try us today and get the job you want! A professionally written resume can get you hired faster and at a higher salary. Types: Resume Only, Resume + Cover Letter, Expedited Delivery.

    Stand Out from the Crowd

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Lasso Brag


What's next?

home popular resources subscribe search

You cannot copy content of this page