The Dos and Don’ts of Writing A Cover Letter

Tips on how to make your cover letter stand out.

CON: Your Job Might Not Care About Your Wisdom - Your employer might not care at all that you just toiled away for three years to earn another degree. You could be forced to look for employment outside your company to get ahead.  (Photo: Sean De Burca/Corbis)

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Level Up. - If you’re in the market for a new job, there’s no escaping the dreaded cover letter, and with good reason—they are a good place to show potential employers a side of your work history that can’t be glimpsed on your resume, whether that’s why you left a dream job after just six months or how your past experiences as a customer service rep qualify you for a gig in film production. Read on for tips on how to make your cover letter stand out. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Sean De Burca/Corbis)

Range Your Options - Once you've figured out who he is and what he likes, make a thoughtful wish list for him. Vary your items from your boldest idea to your safest bet, and then narrow it down to your top five picks. If you're having trouble chopping your list, use your budget as an indicator of what you're realistically prepared to do. (Photo: Peathegee Inc/Getty Images)

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DO address it correctly. -  Strike “To Whom It May Concern” from your vocabulary. The Internet is your friend—use it to find out to whom you need to address your cover letter. (Photo: Peathegee Inc/Getty Images)

DO be brief. - Though you will likely be sending it via email, do not make your cover any longer than what would fit on one sheet if you printed it out. (Photo: Stefan Rupp/Westend61/Corbis)

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DO be brief. - Though you will likely be sending it via email, do not make your cover any longer than what would fit on one sheet if you printed it out. (Photo: Stefan Rupp/Westend61/Corbis)

Make Nice With Your Boss - Y’all don’t need to be besties, but setting a regular time to meet semi-casually is a solid way to invest in your relationship. A standing monthly lunch is a great place to start.  (Photo: Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images)

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DO be specific. - Tailor your letters to each individual position. Don’t just add in the company name and job title, but also highlight the parts of your experience that are most relevant to each job. (Photo: Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images)

CON: You Could Miss Out on a Valuable Experience - Many employers value hands-on work experience and proven success more than multiple degrees. Continuing school, especially if you go directly from undergrad, rather than working in your field first, can make you an expensive entry-level worker if you haven’t actually worked. (Photo: Ariel Skelley/Getty Images)

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DON’T waste your opening. - Skip “I’m applying for the regional sales manager job that was posted on your website.” Instead, open with a direct statement that says why you want the job and why they should hire you for it: “I am a local direct sales manager with more than a decade of experience in the Southeast territory, and I would love to leverage my insider knowledge and strong client relationships to help Fabulous Company grow its reach in the region.” (Photo: Ariel Skelley/Getty Images)

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DON’T be afraid to name drop. - If you know someone in the company who is good at their job, or if you and the hiring manager have a friend in common, make that clear in the first few lines of your cover letter. “Stefanie Jones suggested that I reach out to you about the account management position at Fabulous Company because she feels I’d be a good fit for both the job and the company culture.” (Photo: Klaus Vedfelt/GettyImages)

Less Stress - Doing the do helps you keep your cool in typically high-stress situations, such as speaking in public. It can even help keep anxiety at bay, too. (Photo: laflor/Getty Images)

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DO summarize your career. - The key word is “summarize.” Don’t give a blow by blow, year by year account of your work history—that belongs on your résumé. Just give a quick summary that shows your breath of experience. (Photo: laflor/Getty Images)

DON’T be afraid to pat yourself on the back.  - Lay out achievements that illustrate why you are prepared for this position and why it should be your next challenge. Brief bullet points can be useful here, if you have at least three to share. Don’t use more than five. (Photo: Hill Street Studios/Blend Images/Corbis)

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DON’T be afraid to pat yourself on the back.  - Lay out achievements that illustrate why you are prepared for this position and why it should be your next challenge. Brief bullet points can be useful here, if you have at least three to share. Don’t use more than five. (Photo: Hill Street Studios/Blend Images/Corbis)

Write a Review - We’re often quick to take to the Internet when a company has upset us, but how often do you do it when you receive great service? Take a few minutes to leave a positive Yelp review for that black-owned smoothie shop that always remembers your order. It could do wonders for their business!  (Photo: Image Source)

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DON’T forget to research the company. - What’s going on with the business? Is it undergoing a sale? While a cover letter isn’t the prime place to demonstrate your knowledge of the company—that would be your interview—wouldn’t you feel silly if you mentioned your past work at the company that is taking over and you didn’t make the connection in your cover? (Photo: Image Source/Getty Images)

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DO express genuine enthusiasm. - If you don’t feel it, don’t apply. If you really are excited about the prospect of working there, say so, and explain why. Is the company the industry leader? Are you intrigued by the challenge of making a startup successful? Speak up! (Photo: Tom Merton/Getty Images)