Cover Letters...

Always be sure to confirm the name of the person to whom the letter is being sent.  An employer does not always read the whole cover letter or your entire resume, but you can be sure that he/she will notice that you have misspelled his/her name or listed an old title.  It is best to address your letter to a specific person (e.g., "Dear Ms. Jones:").  However, use "Dear Hiring Manager:" if there is no way to find out that information.  Use "Dear Search Committee:" if the decision will be made by committee.  Avoid stale salutations such as "Dear Sir/Madam:" or "To Whom it May Concern".

The tone of the letter should be consistent with the kind of position for which you are applying.  A junior level opportunity will permit much more latitude than a more senior executive.

Hiring managers are busy and do not care to wade through fluff.  Your opening paragraph should clearly state the position for which you are applying.  Include a reference code if requested and the referral source (e.g., recommendation from a fellow employee).  Your opening may also include a synopsis of why you are a top candidate for the position.

The body of your letter should contain the sales pitch.  This is your chance to outline the top reasons why you are worthy of an interview.  When writing the body text, keep in mind that hiring managers are self-centered -- they want to know what you can do for them, not learn about your life story.  Demonstrate how your credentials, motivation, and track record would benefit their operation.  Review your top five selling factors and weave them into the body, perhaps as a bulleted list.  Many people spend too much time on this part of the cover letter citing irrelevant details from their work experience.  The test you should keep in mind is: "If I were the prospective hiring manager, is this information important to me?"

Keep your letter positive and upbeat.  This is not the place to write a sob story about your employment situation.  Put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes -- would you call yourself in for an interview?

Above all, remember to keep the length of your cover letter short.  Recruiters receive hundreds of applications for many positions.  Make sure that your cover letter is read by concisely summarizing only the key points about yourself.

Your final paragraph should generate a call for action, so express your strong interest in an interview and state that you will follow up soon to confirm your resume was received and discuss the possibility of meeting face-to-face.