The Cover Letter Conundrum

If we were to ask any room full of people to raise their hands if they didn?t like writing cover letters, the vast majority of those people would have their hands in the air. Cover letter writing can seem intimidating ? what do you say? How do you say it? Let?s go through some standard questions people have about them:

• Do I restate what is on my resume?
  • No.? Your resume is a record of the things you?ve accomplished.? A cover letter should address what you are bringing to the employer or where you?d like to go with the employer.? A cover letter becomes the frame through which the employer then sees the information on your resume ? it sets the tone.

• Do I need to include my contact information?
  • Yes ? include your contact information at the top of the letter in traditional letter format.

• Do I need to include their contact information?? Don?t they know who and where they are?
  • Your letter should look like a traditional piece of business correspondence.? As such, you absolutely want to include their contact information above the body of the letter.

• Who do I address it to?
  • This will require some research on your part ? it can be different for each employer and it is worth investigating.? It is important to always try to address the cover letter to an individual; this is the beginning of a conversation between you and another person.

• Can I use the same letter for multiple jobs?
  • No ? each letter should be a conversation between you and a specific employer.? You are trying to convince each individual employer that you are a unique and valuable addition to their team. ?There isn?t a good way to accomplish that with a blanket letter sent to multiple employers.? Also, form letters read as form letters ? individuals who read multiple cover letters can tell the difference between a letter expressing true interest in a specific employer and a letter sent to multiple people with the hope of ?just getting a job.?? Taking the time to craft individual letters to each individual employer you are interested in is worth it.

• Can I just fill information into a template?
  • No.? See the question just above this one ? a template doesn?t express to the individual employer what is useful about you.? While it would certainly be easier if there were a template or form cover letter, you will get better results by crafting each letter from scratch.

• Can a good cover letter get me the job?
  • No ? the goal of a cover letter is to get into a conversation with someone, not to get you the job.

• Should I tell the employer why they should hire me?
  • Yes and no.? If you are explaining to the employer why you would be a good, helpful addition to their team, then yes.? However, if you are telling them why they are doing you a favor by hiring you or what you are going to get out of working for them ? then, no.? Any discussion of how this job is a stepping stone for you in your career or how you have to put in your time in a job like this one should be struck immediately.? The vast majority of employers do not have the luxury of hiring someone to do them a favor ? they want someone who can, instead, help them.

So how do we do this, then?

For this, you need to do research ? on yourself and on the employer. What does the employer need? What do they want? Check out the job posting (if there is one), check the employer?s website, ask around, and brainstorm if you need, but come up with some things that would be useful to the employer.
Then, figure out how you can bring the employer what they need or want. What experiences or skills do you have that match up to what the employer needs or wants? Your letter should be reflective of these things ? your understanding of the employer?s needs and how you are going to fill those needs.

Don?t let this be an intimidating process. ?Think of it, instead, as simply the beginning of a conversation between you and the team you are joining. ?As always, if you would like to discuss any of this, please email career@law.stetson.edu to make an appointment with one of us, and don?t forget to check your ToolKit workbook for additional information on cover letters and other career publications!

Source: http://www.law.stetson.edu/career/blogkit/index.php/2013/02/the-cover-letter-conundrum/

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