Cover Letter Etiquette

Posted by in Career Advice


Whether you’ve written one or one hundred cover letters in your lifetime, they can present enough challenges to make you dread the process each time. It’s for this reason that many people resort to the “carbon copy” cover letter as opposed to creating an original one for each job application. The “carbon copy” cover letter is not recommended because it lacks authenticity. Even worse, it forces you to turn your back on cover letter etiquette. If you want to make sure that your cover letter is unique and appropriate, let’s take a look at some cover letter etiquette tips to consider. Tip #1: Keep the Cover Letter Personal The first tip to keep in mind when writing a cover letter is that you want to make sure that it’s personal. You may have read in a business writing book at some point that it’s common to address the reader as “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern.” While these terms can be appropriate when absolutely necessary, it’s better to track down the hiring manager at a company so that you may address him or her directly (ex. Dear Mr. Smith) in your salutation. Tip #2: Focus on the Employer’s Needs Another etiquette tip to keep in mind when creating your cover letter is focusing on the employer’s needs. This concept goes back to the “carbon copy” cover letter that looks just like the last 15 you’ve written. It’s always important to keep in mind that no two jobs are exactly the same, which is why your cover letters shouldn’t be the same either. To honor these differences, it’s good to focus on the specific needs of the employer and afterward addressing your own strengths and how they can help the company achieve their desired success. This way, you can help the hiring manager more easily align the company’s goals with your qualifications, which in turn can increase your chances of being hired. Tip #3: Dot Your I’s and Cross Your T’s Another aspect of cover letter etiquette is making sure that you proofread every word, ensure all grammar is correct, and most importantly, make sure that every bit of information you offer is 100% honest. You don’t want the employer to run a background check only to find out you’ve lied on any of your documentation. So before submitting your cover letter, it’s important to ensure every I is dotted and every T is crossed. Tip #4: Keep it Short and Sweet The fourth tip to consider when writing your cover letter is length. If you become passionate about what you’re writing, you can easily say too much, which can frustrate the hiring manager who has many more to read. So in the writing process, your job is to explain why you’re qualified and why you want the job as concisely as possible. This way, the hiring manager won’t trash your cover letter before getting to all of those great qualifications that would have otherwise gotten you hired for the job. Now that you’ve learned a little about cover letter etiquette, it’s time to get started on your own. What are you waiting for? Your next job is just a great cover letter away.
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  • Chuck Venanzi
    Chuck Venanzi
    I found the tips helpful in getting mine to the top of the pile. Thanks for bringing these helpful ideas forth for all to utilize in the development of their individualized and company focused Cover Letter.
  • Myra Wynn
    Myra Wynn
    I'm in the "over 50" crowd. I was taught to personally address a cover letter back when the job seeker could actually find the name of a hiring manager or HR person. Today, with so many job seekers, the names of people in HR or hiring managers is kept more secret than people in the witness protection program. I wish the folks writing career advice would talk about how to address a letter when you absolutely can't find any names!
  • Pam
    Pam
    Thank you, After everyone giving opinions of what you could/should do, this is to the point! Makes sense! And a must for my next resume.Unemployment is not fun, and any help is helpful.
  • Janae
    Janae
    That's going to make thngis a lot easier from here on out.
  • Lettergal
    Lettergal
    This is a very good article Heather. It contains pertinent information and valuable advice. Amazingly, most of the respondents seem to lack the ability to comprehend what you wrote. For example, there are several typographical errors along with misspellings, poor grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. Were I the head of the HR department, only a handful of these respondents' Cover Letters would be worthy of my time. From several of these responses, one is left to wonder if English is still taught in High School.
  • Mccayde
    Mccayde
    Great common sense here.
  • Loren
    Loren
    Thanks for sharing. Always good to find a real expert.
  • Delphia
    Delphia
    Superior thinking demonstrated above. Thanks!
  • Danice
    Danice
    You've got the answer in that one!
  • Karen R.
    Karen R.
    As I was preparing to write a cover letter for a position I was applying for, I referred to your advice. Thanks for the publications you write; always helpful.  
  • barbara d.
    barbara d.
    Useful tips, writtenn in a friendly persoanl style.  Thanks.How do you get the hiring manger's name though when most applications are done on line through a job board and you are responding to a job code.  When I call the companies and get to HR they say they cannot give that information and to please apply on line and if they are interested they will contact me.  
  • Judy C
    Judy C
    Very good info.  My questions is, sometimes when applying for a position online you don't have the option to send a cover letter, then what? I think posting some samples would be very beneficial for job seekers who have difficulty writing them.
  • Sujit R.
    Sujit R.
    Helpful but small examples will be a good idea to the beginners or Non-English Major job seekers.
  • Marquita
    Marquita
    Why would a very busy employer spend time reading cover letters when he or she barely has enough time  to read the resumes?  The concept of covers letters seems so backwards.  Can't the resume simply say what is needed to get a person hired?
  • IBRA ABALIS PHD &MBA
    IBRA ABALIS PHD &MBA
    Dear Heathe - These five cover letter “etiquette tips to consider” are the best and fascinating in any article I ever came across. Thank you for your help.
  • Fannielee
    Fannielee
    Thank for the tips, on short and sweet letters. I hope I expressed my experience and goals, to make it to the final run up. Thanks so much Fannie Lee.
  • kannan rangaswamy
    kannan rangaswamy
    Your information pertaining to cover letter will facilitate me in creating an effective format for the current and future.  Kannan
  • Marjorie
    Marjorie
    I found the information on what to include in a cover letter consident with what I have been reading.  I appreciate any help I can get. Thanks
  • maxcine ellis
    maxcine ellis
    Great information.  Will certainly use these tips in my cover letter.  Thank you.
  • Michael F. Connors
    Michael F. Connors
    I really enjoy reading the articles you post,  They are always right on track as is this one.  Would it be possible for you to post some cover letter examples?  I am sure it would be very useful for me and for all.
  • David
    David
    Your article is excellent and really covers some aspect of the "Cover Letter" that should be followed for success in an "active job" search as I am at this moment.
  • Navaid Siddiqui
    Navaid Siddiqui
    The most important thing is to gear the cover letter towards employer requirments and converting them to your own strength and achivements and be honest and do not write a book, It should be only less than a full page. It works
  • Jenny Saa-Tomala
    Jenny Saa-Tomala
    Great tips. They are clear, concise and very useful.
  • Julia Snead
    Julia Snead
    Thank you for the information. It was helpful.
  • Anthony Tedesco
    Anthony Tedesco
    Ms. Eagar, This information will be extremely helpful as I recieved a more professional writing style from another source. Your insight makes sense if I were the HR Department Head I would appreciate a more personable Cover Letter. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

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