Writing a cover letter can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you stand out!

Express your interest in the position

Especially if this is what you’d consider your dream job. Don’t be afraid to express how excited you are about the position. And make it clear that you’ve been following the company for some time or have been searching for a position of this nature. Additionally, add that you’re extremely eager to join the team. Your genuine excitement will shine through and hopefully catch the company’s eye.

Include a recent accomplishment by the company

Show them that you’ve done your research! Include a line about the organization’s recent campaign, award, or innovation. You may also choose to mention a recent announcement that may impact operations. Stand out by demonstrating your interest in the company’s work and keep up with industry news. 

Provide concrete examples of your (relevant) experience 

It’s great that you have the required skills as listed in the job description. But how have you put them into practice? Did you increase a brand’s social media followers by over 100% at your last job? Were you named top salesperson or bring in an impressive number of new clients to your former company? These concrete examples of your skills are super important when writing your cover letter. It’s important to show, ideally in quantitative terms, how much you were able to contribute to your last positions to give your prospective employer a glimpse of your work ethic and potential for success. 

Have someone review your draft

Have a mentor or even a friend review your cover letter for grammar, spelling, and other tweaks needed to perfect your letter. When you’ve been working on the same piece for so long, it’s helpful having another set of eyes give you the feedback you may not have considered.

Address the cover letter to the hiring manager

Spend some extra time looking up the hiring manager’s name in order to personalize your cover letter. Utilize Google, or, if the job is posted on LinkedIn, see if you can spot who added the job listing and address the letter directly to them. And of course, if the posting specifically states whose name to use, do that. Lastly, if all else fails, address the letter to the hiring manager or recruitment team as opposed to “to whom it may concern”. 

For more advice, check out the 10 common resume mistakes we’re all guilty of.