Cover Letter
Cover Letter
Your cover letter is essential in the application process. It introduces you to the hiring manager, highlighting what you can offer and your reasons for wanting the job. Aim to achieve this on one page, leaving them eager for an interview. Follow this guide to customize your cover letter to stand out and secure more interviews in today’s competitive job market.
The Basics
Keep your cover letter to one page: You should be expanding upon your resume, but not so much that you have nothing to discuss in your interview.
Write a unique cover letter for each job: You can follow a format, but steer clear of copying and pasting.
Mix your passion with your performance: Unlike a resume, your cover letter can include more passion and personality.
Think of your resume as the quantitative and the cover letter as the qualitative part of your application (but be sure to still include numbers). Highlight your soft skills, which otherwise might not come through on a resume. Provide context and examples based on bullet points on your resume.
Leverage AI for help: A well-crafted cover letter makes a strong first impression. AI tools streamline the process, helping tailor your letter to each job and highlight your qualifications.
Be sure to think about the following:
- Personalize: AI helps gather information about the company and hiring manager. Use this data to customize your cover letter, showing genuine interest in the role. Generic cover letters are easily recognized, even with AI help.
- Focus on Value: AI identifies keywords and skills relevant to the job description. Use these insights to showcase how your experience meets the employer's needs, demonstrating your impact rather than just listing duties.
Think about trying AI tools to craft an impressive cover letter like Kickresume, Teal, Jobscan.
Building Your Cover Letter
The introduction should formally recognize the position you’re applying for, followed by a brief description of your work experience relevant to it. To make your cover letter stand out, engage the reader with one of these themes:
Passion: Share an anecdote of why you’re passionate about this company, industry or job.
Love of the company: Discuss a distinct moment or fact that relates to your love of the company, and be sure it is accurate.
Accomplishment or accolade: Note a recent accomplishment, award, event success, promotion, etc. as it relates to the job.
The body paragraph should include concrete examples and accolades from your professional experience as it relates to the position description.
Expand upon bullet points from your resume. Think:
- How did you handle one of the responsibilities listed on your resume?
- What details would you share to show how you achieved that bullet point?
- How did this achievement help you or your colleagues reach a key goal?
Showcase both your direct and transferable skills to impress the hiring manager.
Finish up strong by using the last two to three sentences to remind the reader why they want to bring you in for an interview.
- Connect to the organization’s mission statement.
- Reaffirm one or two skills/professional assets you bring and what you’d do in the role.
- Relay passion and excitement (modestly).
- Share how your skills or values connect to the organization's mission statement.
- Don't forget to include your contact information for follow up!
Additional Resources
Your Alumni Association is here to help you at any stage of your professional journey. Check out our Alumni Association career resources.