Be brief Limit cover letter to 350 words. The focus should be on how you meet an employer's needs, not on your life story.
Personalize Address cover letter to a person rather than a title.
Clarify
Introduce yourself, state position applying for and indicate employment source (i.e., newspaper ad, referral).
Differentiate Highlight key qualifications and specific accomplishments focused on meeting employer's need.
Specify Finish with an interview request as the next step.
Identify Include contact information (phone number and e-mail address).
Captivate Be positive and professional.
Focus Cover letters must be tailored for each position and each company.
Complement
Cover letters should complement your resume, not be redundant. The resume gives potential employers the facts; the cover letter gives them the person.
Don’t skimp
Job seekers tend to lavish attention on the resume while treating the cover letters as a nuisance to be done quickly. Many companies use cover letters as a sample of your written communication skills.
Keep it professional
A cover letter should be a professional exchange. Write potential employers letters that are clear and concise. Treat cleverness with caution!
Research
Know about the company to which you're applying. There's no harm if your letter tactfully reveals that you're acquainted with the company or know someone who works there.
Personalize When answering want ads, make sure each letter uses exact words from that ad and shows your abilities match the company's stated needs.
Proofread
Cover letters must be perfect. Some hiring professionals won’t even look at your resume if your cover letter has some typos.
