If you’ve ever written a cover letter, you’re likely familiar with the pressure of trying to present yourself as the most professional, knowledgeable, qualified candidate in what will surely be a sea of competition.

By following a few fundamental rules and focusing on just a handful of key elements, you can make your letter (and by association, yourself) shine:


1. Remember, brevity wins

Often, in our eagerness to showcase our experience, skills and enthusiasm, we become long-winded. Avoid the temptation to expound upon every last detail that demonstrates how you’re the perfect fit for a particular job.

Instead, be brief. Seriously, two or three paragraphs are all that’s needed. Recruiters and hiring managers are ruthless skimmers, and verbose cover letters only communicate that you have no idea how their world works.


2. Display nuggets of knowledge

Understand your audience and write for the particular company you’re applying to. Again, with brevity in mind, let your reader know that you’ve done your research.


3. Keywords are key

It seems like the world is driven by keywords. Without littering your cover letter with jargon, include keywords in the natural flow of your writing.

4. Connect the dots

Cover letters exist simply as a means of introduction — a way for applicants to connect their experience and skills to the requirements of a position and thereby spark just enough interest to land an interview.

It’s important to make these connections explicit for the reader, especially if your qualifications may not be immediately clear. Briefly and concisely explain how what you’ve done in the past makes you uniquely qualified and immediately valuable.

5. Show yourself

Within the bounds of professionalism, it’s perfectly fine to convey a bit of personality in your cover letter. Without being too informal, write the way you speak, add a bit of humor, or include a relevant quote.

6. Proofread obsessively

I believe it was Dr. Seuss who said, “Proofread standing on your head. Proofread sitting down. Proofread in the country. Proofread all over town.” It’s so true. Proofing and editing what you’ve written is absolutely essential.