Great Resumes Fast » Cover Letters » How to Write a Great Cover Letter – 5 Quick Tips

Do employers really read cover letters anymore? Yes, they do—and so you’d better write one! I can’t guarantee 100% of hiring managers will read it, but if even 75% do, then it’s worth taking the time to write a great one. Below are 5 tips for writing a great cover letter.

A GREAT COVER LETTER … SHOWS YOU ARE AN ASSET

The best cover letters market your talents, abilities, and successes so the employer knows that if they hire you they’re acquiring a tremendous asset to their team. Focus on what you can offer the employer and how you can benefit their company.

A GREAT COVER LETTER … CONVINCES THE EMPLOYER TO CALL

Great cover letters are so well written that the employer wants to call you before they ever get to the resume. I’ve read great cover letters like this in the past, and I will tell you what made them so awesome—they had a catchy introduction that wasn’t the same old boring opening line that everyone else uses (please accept this … in response to …). AND even more importantly, they spoke to my greatest needs. I remember one particular writer who took the time to research my company website to see what I was all about, then talked about how she could deliver top-quality resumes and always meet deadlines. We’re pretty deadline-driven around here—and we don’t like to disappoint our clients. She touched on one of our core needs and explained how she could successfully meet those needs.

A GREAT COVER LETTER … IS GOAL-ORIENTED

How can you help the employer reach their goals or objectives? One of my goals is happy clients. In order to achieve that, it is imperative that each one of my clients ends up holding the BEST resume in his or her hands—a resume that is top-notch and delivers on our promise of the client securing interviews. When a writer contacts me and speaks to those goals—and how he or she can meet and exceed them—I’m very impressed, and I pick up the phone to call them for an interview.

A GREAT COVER LETTER … IS PERSONABLE

The best cover letters convey your personality and make a connection. It’s your chance to let the employer get to know you better than what they can glean from your resume. Your LinkedIn profile has a similar objective—to make a personal connection.

A GREAT COVER LETTER … IS COMPELLING

Sharing with the employer why this position is important to you is also part of writing a winning cover letter. If a connection exists between a particular company and why you want to work there, share that information; the employer will appreciate it. Just make sure you don’t start with the ME ME ME …  It’s better to insert that information somewhere in the middle or toward the end and use it to segue into why your experience fits the bill.

A great cover letter is possible—and it doesn’t have to be an insurmountable task. Just remember these tips when you sit down to write your next cover letter.

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About the author

Jessica Hernandez, President, CEO & Founder of Great Resumes Fast

Hi, I’m Jessica. I started this company back in 2008 after more than a decade directing hiring practices at Fortune 500 companies.

What started as a side hustle (before that was even a word!) helping friends of friends with their resumes has now grown into a company that serves hundreds of happy clients a year. But the personal touch? I’ve kept that.

You might have seen me featured as a resume expert in publications like Forbes, Fast Company, and Fortune. And in 2020, I was honored to be named as a LinkedIn Top Voice of the year!

I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to help you find your next perfect-fit position!

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