In today’s competitive job market, standing out from the sea of thousands of applicants is more important than ever. While your resume is a great first step in getting noticed, one often-overlooked way to make a great first impression is with a well-crafted cover letter. Submitting a personalized cover letter can set you apart from other candidates and highlight your unique qualifications for the role.
Is Anyone Even Reading Cover Letters?
You may have heard that no one reads cover letters these days, so why even bother? True, I’ve heard it too, that few recruiters or employers read cover letters. But for those who do, they can make a real difference in whether or not they choose to move forward with you as a candidate.
Part of the reason these covering letters (yes, that’s what they used to be called) are overlooked is that most are poorly written. I’ve come across cover letters that span pages and go into personal details about the candidate’s journey or aim to explain why they’re applying. Just as your resume is a marketing document, so too is your cover letter. Be succinct and talk about how you’ll add value and solve problems. Then when the letter is read, the hiring manager will be that much more intrigued to contact you.
When to Include a Cover Letter
This is easy: If a cover letter is required as part of the application process, it must be included. Sometimes, you’ll even run across a specific ask, such as:
Include a cover letter explaining why you’re passionate about this role and joining our company. Also tell us your favorite ice cream flavor because we love ice cream!
When you are asked specifics like this, do them. This is a test, and if you do not do as requested, your application will not be considered.
You can also choose to submit a cover letter because you want to differentiate yourself and emphasize how your experience aligns with the company’s needs. A tailored cover letter shows that you’ve taken time to research the position and explain why you’re a perfect fit.
What to Say in Your Cover Letter
Writing the perfect cover letter may seem intimidating, but when you put in a little time and customize it to the role, the payoff can be huge. Here’s what you need to know:
Tailor every letter to the position
Just as you update and optimize your resume for each position, you should be doing the same for the cover letter. There are no generic resumes or letters! Refer to the job description and/or company website to incorporate how your experience, skills, and accomplishments align with the company’s needs.
Focus on value
Employers don’t care too much about you in the beginning; they care about what you can do for them. Instead of restating your resume, focus on the key skills the position is calling for and how you fulfill them. For example, if the job requires project management expertise, mention a time when you successfully led a large project and delivered results.
Match the header to your resume
To make your application package look polished, the header of your cover letter should match the header of your resume. This consistency adds a professional touch and shows your attention to detail.
It’s okay to leverage ChatGPT—smartly!
I’ll admit that while I don’t use ChatGPT for writing resumes, I often incorporate it into my cover letters. The key here is to use smart prompts. Copy the job description and use that, along with this prompt:
Write a cover letter for this position. Call out 3 key skills that the position is seeking and highlight how I can fulfill them; bullet these. Also include something about the company’s mission, vision, and/or value.
Remember that ChatGPT will make things up, so be sure to review and heavily edit the letter once you have a base.
Address Your Cover Letter to the Right Person
If you’re going to take on writing a personalized cover letter for each (or any) position, it makes sense that you would go further than just addressing it to “whom it may concern” or “hiring manager.” To find the name of a person, you have two options:
Start with LinkedIn
Some job listings on LinkedIn include the hiring manager’s name, which makes your search pretty easy. Obviously, if that’s the case, use that person’s name. If a person is not linked to the posting, you’ll have to make your best guess. Go to the company page on LinkedIn, click on the PEOPLE tab, and start with entering “talent” in the search box. Typically, you’ll be offered several names of recruiters or HR professionals. Choose the one that seems like the best fit.
Research the company website
If LinkedIn is a bust, head to the company’s website and search for people there. You may find a list of employees on the about page of a smaller company, while a larger organization may have a company directory. Look for someone in recruiting or human resources. For a very small company, you may be writing your letter to the owner.
Don’t worry about getting the right name here. The fact that you bothered to look up someone at all shows that you are serious about this position.
Remember to Follow Up After You Apply
Once you’ve addressed your cover letter to a specific person and submitted your application online, it’s a smart idea to take the additional step to follow up. Not only does this demonstrate enthusiasm, but it also increases your visibility as a candidate. There are a couple of ways you can do this:
Connect on LinkedIn
You already went to the trouble to look up a contact person when you were writing your cover letter, so it’s not that much work to follow up. You can either send an InMail or a connection request. Remember that you can only send an InMail if the person allows for free messages or you are a LinkedIn Premium member.
If InMail:
SUBJECT: [POSITION TITLE]
Hi, [NAME].
I just applied to [POSITION] and am excited about the possibility of joining [COMPANY]. I believe that I will be able to add significant value to [COMPANY] in this role in the following areas:
(Summarize the three key skills from the cover letter you generated via ChatGPT.)
I have attached my resume so you have it top of box, and I look forward to connecting with you soon to discuss our potential partnership.
Warm regards,
[YOUR NAME]
If connection request:
Hi, [NAME].
I’ve just applied to [POSITION] and am excited about the possibility of joining [COMPANY]. I hope you’ll accept my connection request so we can stay in touch.
[YOUR NAME]
Send an email
In some cases, you may actually have the email address of your company contact or someone in HR. Use this about a week after your initial application and outreach efforts to follow up and reiterate your interest. Remember that your goal here is not to pester the person about your application but rather to (re)introduce yourself and share some value. If you couldn’t include your cover letter when you applied, this is a good time to send it. Otherwise, let the person know that you recently applied and remain enthusiastic. Also add something about the value you can provide or an article you saw about the industry or company—anything to keep the conversation moving forward.
How to Send Your Cover Letter
Back in the day, we would print out a cover letter and resume and pop them in the mail. Sometimes, we would attach them both as documents to an email. Occasionally, applicants would copy and paste the cover letter into the body of the email and attach the resume separately.
While the first option isn’t typical in today’s market, the other two can still work. However, most times, you’ll be applying online. What’s imperative here is that you cannot attach your cover letter to your resume in the same document, such as adding it as the first or last page. That confuses ATS systems and is just bad practice. Here are some key points for how to share your cover letter:
When applying online
For many online applications, you’ll be given the opportunity to upload your cover letter as a separate document. Save it as a PDF with your name: “John Smith – CL” and upload it in the appropriate location. I’ve also seen online applications with a text box for writing a cover letter. In that case, copy and paste the body of your letter into the text box.
For “easy apply” on LinkedIn
Most easy apply positions only allow you to submit your resume, but if you want to send a cover letter, refer to the previous section about following up. You can reach out to the hiring manager and include your cover letter at that point.
Tips for Writing Effective Cover Letters
Now that you know the specifics of how to leverage a cover letter and what it should include, here are some things that should probably be able to go unsaid, but I’m saying them anyway:
- Be professional while incorporating personality. With the ChatGPT prompts I’ve provided, you’ll have a solid outline and starting content. Level that up a bit by including a little about yourself and how you’re a great addition. This can be through your tone or addition of accomplishments or special skills and experience.
- Proofread! Before submitting any document for a job posting, be sure to review it thoroughly for errors. A simple spelling mistake can undermine your credibility and kick you out of consideration.
Add Value to Your Application with Great Cover Letters
Cover letters can be a valuable tool in your job search when used strategically. Whether requested or offered as a differentiator, they give you the chance to make a personal connection with the hiring manager and demonstrate the unique value you bring to the role. Tailor each cover letter to the job, follow up after submitting your application, and ensure your cover letter is formatted correctly to avoid any ATS issues.
With these tips in mind, you’ll have a better chance of landing an interview and securing your next great opportunity.
By focusing on the value you bring and personalizing each cover letter, you’ll increase your chances of standing out in the hiring process. For more help with resumes, cover letters, and job-search strategies, visit Your Career Advocate.