"Less is more", as the old adage says, and it's never truer than when writing a job search cover letter. Many job seekers bombard the hiring manager with a slew of words that runs two or three pages. But you don't have to. You can get to the point quickly and precisely. This may take some practice, but it will be worth it. You'll want the reader to sit up and take notice of how different your cover letter is from those in the stack he's already rejected. How can you do this? It's as easy as 1, 2, and 3.
1. Be CONCISE
Keep your letter to one page and include only what matters. This is not the time to talk about your personal life or your hobbies. State your enthusiasm for the job you hope to land, your skills and experience, and your willingness to come in for a personal interview. End with a polite 'thank you' for reading your cover letter and enclosed resume.
2. Be PRECISE
Speak up in language that clearly spells out your desire to bid for this job. Refer to the company's mission statement and that you believe you are qualified to live by it and you will commit to being a loyal employee, doing your best to perform the required tasks and to working harmoniously with your colleagues.
3. Be NICE
Convey your respect for the hiring manager and for the company by using words that show that you are a polite and considerate individual who has more than self-interest at heart. Clearly and directly ASK for an interview… one of the most overlooked interview-landing secrets of all time. And do so in a manner that shows you are a nice, caring, confident and competent person.
Not all cover letters are the same. In these tough economic times, it is essential to be concise, precise, and nice if you hope to grab a hiring manager's attention and move from just one more person in a long list to one the employer is eager to hire.
Cover Letter Blog - The "Less is More" Cover Letter
