- Do I have to?
- 1. Do Your Homework
- 2. "To Whom it May Concern" is the Worst
- 3. Read and Understand the Job Requirements
- 4. Leverage
Your Network - 5. Tell them why you are the right person for the job
- 6. Short Is Good
- 7. Include Next Steps
- 8. Let
Your Resume Do the Rest. - 9. Don't Send Form Letters
- 10. Don’t Apologize - Show Confidence
- 11. Personalize it
- 12. Choose a
cover letter that suits you and the job
We may earn a commission if you click on a product link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.
Last Updated on March 30, 2025
Writing a
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 If you’re using this outdated salutation, rest assured it will catch nobody’s attention and find its way to the trash bin.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
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.
Do I have to?
Yes, you have to write a cover letter. This is your
Hiring managers can be very selective about the few people they will hire. With sometimes hundreds of resumes to sort through, a
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 to whom you are to send your
Anyone can send a
You can look up the
This simple, user-friendly guide explains how you can access the full power of LinkedIn--including advice on making lasting business connections, building a unique personal brand, and generating career opportunities.
2. “To Whom it May Concern” is the Worst
These days, there is no excuse not to find out the name of who you want to send
- 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 to whom you will be addressing the
Your success story begins with a resume.
Create a beautiful resume, impress your future employer,
and score the job you’ve always wanted.
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
4. Leverage Your Network
When looking for work, it is no time to be shy. If you know someone at a company where you are sending a
There are many excellent networking books available that can help job seekers learn the skills they need to build meaningful relationships and advance their careers
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
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
7. Include Next Steps
Ask for an interview. Let the
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.
8. Let Your Resume Do the Rest.
Your cover letter is not a duplicate of
It is best to pick the ones that specifically match the job, but there is no need to include thousands of accomplishments. By highlighting accomplishments that illustrate broad and matching experience, you stand a better chance of getting the
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
9. Don’t Send Form Letters
Your
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
Our AI Job Interview Coach is designed to help you train and excel in any job interview from the comfort of your home.
11. Personalize it
If you’re mailing your
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
Your
Beat out the competition for the best jobs
Create an image of accomplishment, professionalism, and competence that today’s employers are begging for!
Joey Trebif is the pen name of Mark Fiebert, a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
