{"id":134,"date":"2016-07-25T22:15:34","date_gmt":"2016-07-25T22:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wayup.com\/guide\/?p=134"},"modified":"2018-06-29T14:09:37","modified_gmt":"2018-06-29T14:09:37","slug":"10-tips-perfect-cover-letter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wayupstudent.wpengine.com\/10-tips-perfect-cover-letter\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Tips for the Perfect Cover Letter"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re applying for internships or entry-level jobs, you may be wondering how and when to write a cover letter. While many jobs no longer require cover letters (especially those on WayUp), in cases where a cover letter is<\/em> required, writing a well-crafted letter can be a key part of landing an interview.<\/p>\n

These 10 tips will help you write the perfect cover letter:<\/p>\n

1. Start strong.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In addition to informing your reader what position you\u2019re applying for, your first one or two sentences should identify the qualities and experience that make you a strong candidate for the position. If you don\u2019t have relevant prior work experience, briefly describe how your coursework or extracurricular activities have provided you with the foundation you need to establish your career.<\/p>\n

Say something like:<\/em> \u201cPlease accept my application for the editorial assistant position. As an English major at and a fiction editor for the literary journal there, my knowledge of contemporary literature combined with the administrative experience I gained during a previous internship has prepared me to contribute to all aspects of the publishing process.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pro Tip:<\/strong> Find out the name of the hiring manager and address the letter directly to them. If you\u2019re not able to find a direct contact then address the letter to the department you\u2019re applying to.<\/p>\n

2. Keep it short.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Take the space you need to specify what you have to offer an organization, but don\u2019t go overboard. There\u2019s no need to go beyond a page<\/a>, and your letter should consist of three or four brief paragraphs at most. A concise \u2014 and compelling \u2014 cover letter is your first chance to demonstrate that you can communicate effectively.<\/p>\n

3. Language matters.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

While your cover letter shouldn\u2019t read as though you cut and pasted the job description, it should mirror the language used to describe the skills and qualities required for the position. Hiring managers and the algorithms that are increasingly being used to parse job applications are looking for particular keywords, so make sure to use them.<\/p>\n

For example, if the job description outlines skills x, y and z as being required for the position, make sure you use the same language when you’re highlighting your skill set and experience.<\/p>\n

4. Know your audience.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Remember that you are writing for a prospective employer, not your best friend or a family member. The language you use when you fire off a quick email or text is not appropriate for a cover letter. It\u2019s ok to be conversational in tone, but you don\u2019t want to be too casual. You also don\u2019t want to be overly formal. Try and strike the right balance between personable and professional.<\/p>\n

5. Customize the content.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

You may be wondering if you need to write a different cover letter for each job you apply for. The answer is yes. While there\u2019s a general formula for how your cover letter should look \u2014 introductory paragraph, one or two paragraphs explaining what you have to offer the organization, and the conclusion \u2014 each company has its own culture, which should be reflected in your content. You wouldn\u2019t send the same cover letter for a job at a startup providing services for millennials as you would to an established investment firm serving retirees.<\/p>\n

Pro Tip:<\/strong> Customizing your cover letter is actually not as hard as it sounds. Once you have one or two templates you\u2019re comfortable with, you\u2019ll be able to customize each letter fairly easily by swapping out certain key phrases and company-specific information.<\/p>\n

6. Make it new.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Don\u2019t simply restate what\u2019s already listed on your resume. The cover letter is your opportunity to meaningfully expand on that information and give your potential manager insight into the kind of employee you will be. Relate specific anecdotes or statistics that highlight your qualifications and strengths.<\/p>\n

7. Avoid clich\u00e9s.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If you describe yourself as an \u201cout-of-the-box\u201d thinker, the hiring manager likely won\u2019t believe it. That\u2019s because the phrase itself has become so overused that it no longer suggests creativity or originality. Instead of relying on hackneyed language to describe yourself, take the time to relate an instance where you posed a creative solution to a problem you faced. Just make sure it\u2019s relevant to the position you\u2019re applying for, or that it reveals qualities that position you as a good fit for the company. In other words, at the risk of sounding clich\u00e9d, \u201cShow, don\u2019t tell.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

8. Make it about them.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Don\u2019t make the mistake of expressing what a particular company can offer you instead of what you can offer the company. Would-be employers aren\u2019t so interested in how much you\u2019ll learn on the job, or that the position is the stepping stone you need to make it in a particular industry (even if that may very well be true). They want to know how you\u2019ll contribute to the organization, so make sure the focus of your letter remains on how great you are, not the company.<\/p>\n

9. Follow instructions.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Before you send off your materials, reread the job ad. Does it require additional materials, such as a link to a portfolio, writing samples, or recommendations on your LinkedIn profile<\/a>? If you don\u2019t follow the application instructions, hiring managers may be left with the impression that you are unable to do what is asked of you. Missing materials, late deadlines or cover letters that exceed one page are easy ways for potential employers to eliminate applicants. Make sure you aren\u2019t one of them by following instructions.<\/p>\n

10. Sweat the small stuff.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

There\u2019s no room for error when it comes to your job application materials. After you\u2019ve finished a draft of your letter, give yourself some time away from it and come back with fresh eyes to revise and edit. Read it out loud to yourself to catch missing words and awkward phrasing, and have someone else proofread it.<\/p>\n

As daunting as they may be to write, cover letters are an opportunity for you to let your potential employer get to know you. These tips will ensure you leave a lasting and favorable impression as you begin applying for positions. And once you land that first internship or entry-level job, you\u2019ll have more material to work with for future cover letters.<\/p>\n

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 6 Things to Do in Your First Week at a New Job<\/a>\u00a0and find answers to common interview questions such as Are You Willing to Travel?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re applying for internships or entry-level jobs, you may be wondering how and when to write a cover letter. While many jobs no longer require cover letters (especially those on WayUp), in cases where a cover letter is required, writing a well-crafted letter can be a key part of landing an interview. These 10 … Continue reading “10 Tips for the Perfect Cover Letter”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":263,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,33],"tags":[53,54,197,198,199,200,204],"class_list":["post-134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-resumes-cover-letters","category-cover-letter-guide","tag-cover-letter","tag-cover-letter-tips","tag-underclassman","tag-postgrad","tag-senior","tag-preparation","tag-application"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n10 Tips for the Perfect Cover Letter | Career Advice & Interview Tips | WayUp Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"While many jobs no longer require cover letters, writing a well-crafted letter can be a key part of landing an interview.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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