Writing a Compelling Cover Letter: Making a Strong First Impression
Hook, Highlight, and Hold
Your cover letter is your chance to make a memorable first impression; don’t let it go to waste.
Your cover letter is a writing sample and a part of the screening process. By putting your best foot forward, you can increase your chances of being interviewed.
A good way to create a response-producing cover letter is to highlight your skills or experiences that are most applicable to the job or industry and tailor the letter to the specific organization you are applying to.
Craft a cover letter that draws employers in and convinces them you’re the candidate they’ve been searching for. Write with purpose and make your cover letter truly unforgettable.
Hook your reader from the first sentence, highlight your most relevant skills and experiences, and hold their interest until the very last word.
Build-Up Tips
- Address your letters to a specific person if you can.
- Tailor your letters to specific situations or organizations by doing research before writing them.
- Keep letters concise and factual; no more than a single page.
- Avoid flowery language.
• Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. What can you write that will convince the reader that you are ready and able to do the job?
• Give examples that support your skills and qualifications.
• Don’t overuse the pronoun “I”.
• Remember that this is a marketing tool. Use lots of action words.
• Have an Office of Career Services adviser provide feedback, when possible.
• If converting to a PDF, check that your formatting is translated correctly.
- Reference skills or experiences from the job description and draw connections to your credentials.
- Make sure your resume and cover letter are prepared with the same font type and size.
