How to Write a Catchy Cover Letter

The purpose of a cover letter is simple: It should entice an employer to call you in for an interview. The cover letter works hand in hand with your resume. It should not simply regurgitate information found in your resume, although it can expand on details, such as work experience. Do not send a form letter. Catchy cover letters take time to write and are personalized.

Instructions

1. Visit the employer's workplace and introduce yourself to the clerk or secretary. Explain that you are planning on sending in application materials for a job opening and that you stopped by to get a feel for the work environment. Take note as to whether the company seems laid back, strictly professional or somewhere in between. Gather research about the company. Find out the name and title of the person reviewing the application materials.

2. Research the company in more detail using resources such as the company website or industry publications. This will provide you with details about the company's mission and purpose.

3. Address the catchy cover letter to the individual assigned to reviewing application materials. According to CareerBuilder.com, powerful cover letters do not begin with "Dear Sir or Madam" or "To Whom it May Concern."

4. Open the letter by showing off your knowledge of the company and list a few points that draw you to that company. Use tone and phrasing that corresponds with the work environment. If the company is strictly professional, for instance, avoid colloquialisms and use a polite, professional tone.

5. Describe your skills and abilities in the middle section of the letter. Carry the tone from the opening through the middle of the letter. Avoid simply listing skills. Define those skills and abilities by offering brief anecdotes that demonstrate how you use those skills. Make your examples relevant to the company.

6. Close the letter cordially. Wait at least one day to review the letter and proofread for spelling and grammar errors. Revise as necessary.

References

• Job Web: Make Your Cover Letter Count in a Competitive Job Market
• H Careers: Catchy Cover Letters
• Career Builder: Eight Ways to Maximize Your Cover Letter's Power