How to write Cover Letter Tips:
1. Your Cover Letter Greetings and First Paragraph:
The most traditional way to address a cover letter is to use the person’s first and last name, including “Mr.” or “Ms.” (for example, “Dear Ms. Jane Smith” or just “Dear Ms. Smith”). If you know for sure that the company or industry is more casual, you can drop the title and last name (“Dear Jane”). And if you’re not 100% positive whether to use “Mr.” or “Ms.” based on the name and some Googling, definitely skip the title.
Never use generic salutations like “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam”. If you can’t figure out the specific hiring manager’s name, try addressing your cover letter to the head of the department for the role you’re applying for. Or if you honestly can’t find a single real person to address your letter to, aim for something that’s still somewhat specific, like “Public Health Hiring Manager” or “Public Health Account Executive Search Committee.”
2. Craft a Killer Opening Line
You could go with something simple like, “I am excited to apply for [job] with [Company].” But consider introducing yourself with a first sentence that highlights your excitement about the company/organization you’re applying to, your passion for the work you do, or your past accomplishments.
3. Body of your Cover Letter
A super common pitfall many job seekers fall into is to use their cover letter to regurgitate what’s on their resume. Don’t simply repeat yourself. Instead, expand on those bullet points to paint a fuller picture of your experiences and accomplishments, and show off why you’d be perfect for the job and the company.
Having trouble figuring out how to do this? Try asking yourself these questions:
- What approach did you take to tackling one of the responsibilities you’ve mentioned on your resume?
- What details would you include if you were telling someone a (very short!) story about how you accomplished that bullet point?
- What about your personality, passion, or work ethic made you especially good at getting the job done?
4. Think Not What the Company Can Do for You:
Another 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. Try to identify the Job requirements and need—the problem or problems that they need the person they hire to solve. Then emphasize the skills and experience you have that make you the right person to solve them.
5. Highlight Your Right Experiences:
Not sure what skills and experiences you should be featuring? Typically the most important requirements for the position will be listed first in the job description, or mentioned more than once. You’ll want to make sure you describe how you can deliver on those key priorities.
Another trick: Drop the text of the job description into a word cloud tool like , and see what stands out. That’s what the hiring manager is looking for most.
6. Showcase Your Skills:
When you know you have the potential to do the job—but your past experience doesn’t straightforwardly sell you as the perfect person for the position—try focusing on your skills instead.
7. Don’t Apologize for Your Missing Experience
8. Be Open to Other Formats
9. Cut the Formality
10. Write in the Company’s “Voice”
11. Keep it Short and Sweet
12. Finish Strong
It’s tempting to treat the final lines of your cover letter as a throwaway: “I look forward to hearing from you.” But your closing paragraph is your last chance to emphasize your enthusiasm for the company or how you’d be a great fit for the position.
For example, you could say: “I’m passionate about [Company]’s mission and would love to bring my [add your awesome skills here] to this position.” You can also use the end of your letter to add important details—like, say, the fact that you’re willing to relocate for the job.
13. Have Someone Gut Check It
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