A Dozen Guidelines For Persuasive Cover Letters

A Dozen Guidelines for
Persuasive Cover Letters:
Good First Impressions Last


Even if you feel your resume is complete, and can already even sell yourself effectively to prospective employers, you often ask - Why still the need for cover letters?

It is simple. Not even going to a debate on the issue of whether it is appropriate or not, the fact that it will benefit your end more, than the employer's end should be enough reason to make one.

There is that possibility though that some employers would go right away to the resume without even reading the cover letters - but you don't need to take that chance. It is too risky. Why not spend some more time for a quality cover letter that will impress your prospective employer?

Making cover letters may indeed take some time, but I presume you have no work? Or not even happy with what you have now? So why grumble and not just move on and make one right away.

If you are indeed serious of getting that job, if it is indeed your dream to have it - what is some amount of time spent on your computer for that ever-valuable cover letter?

And if you are going to make it anyway, why not do it the right way?

The fact is persuasive cover letters increase your chances of being hired. And it really works to your advantage. These will serve as your sales letter that will demand attention from readers, and will make them call you for that next step of the hiring process.

There are simple tips on how you can write cover letters that will work to your benefit. Follow these and you will be in for a lot of interviews in no time. Don't take the value of a cover letter for granted, rather let it work for you.


Guidelines In Writing Cover Letters That Work

Effective Guideline # 1: Address the letter to the right person.

Do not use: "Dear Sir / Madam" or worst "To Whom It May Concern" - This is plain sloppy and would just go to show how haphazardly you have prepared your cover letter.

Make some effort and do some research. You may call the company and ask who receives their application letters - and address your letter accordingly.

The one who will receive it will appreciate your initiative. And who knows, yours may be the only one out of the many with his or her name on it. Isn't this a better way to grab the reader's attention? You will already earn plus points here.

Effective Guideline # 2: Write in your own words.

So many cover letters sound as if they were written by one person. Don't make it sound as if it came fresh out of a book. If you insist on using these standard formats and any other clichés - then you will make good of producing run of the mill types of cover letters.

This is good though if your intention is to keep your application letter to the mere standards and blend with all the rest - but this should not be the case. You want your cover letters to stand out - in its own way, in your own words.

Use simple words and don't force in awkward and complicated ones. You definitely don't want the reader to get the idea that you are trying to impress them with your use of fancy words. This really won't be of any value to your application other than amuse the reader of your qualification to perhaps write poetry or other literary arts. You may succeed though in getting a smirk or a chuckle.

Again, keep your cover letters natural - and in your own persuasive words.

Effective Guideline # 3: Keep it concise.

Cover letters are usually one-page types. Write them so that you are mainly highlighting the important points that you want the prospective employers to catch.

There is no need to stuff the cover letters with so much information. You may just find yourself repeating some items that can already be found in your resume - and this would just consume valuable space on your letters, which you could have used for better things.

Effective Guideline # 4: It should read as if it is a business proposal.

As much as you would like to get to the next stage of your application process, you should make it a point that your cover letters would not sound like a plea for an interview.

By all means, please don't sound too desperate in getting that job. Keep your control and composure - and do your cover letters tastefully.

Imagine being in the shoes of the reader, and you find such undertones of desperateness, would it appeal to you? Or would you then doubt on the true value the applicant offers?

Effective Guideline # 5: Go beyond what your resume offers.

If your resume has been well written, then it should be as complete as it can get. Let the resumes give out all the details of your experiences and accomplishments.

Your cover letter on the other hand should be able to clearly show: a.) why you are writing it, b.) how your qualifications answer the needs of the prospective employer and c.) your interest of the position applied for.

In the last portion of the cover letter as well, make sure to thank them for the consideration - and a request for an interview if they find you to be a qualified candidate.

These cover letters have been considered sales letters that markets and sells you - and your valuable services to the organization. So write a cover letter well, and spend a good amount of time making it - as you have done with your resume.

Effective Guideline # 6: Each cover letter should be customized.

You should not have one standard cover letter for all your job applications. It would be considered a sign of laziness if you do not tailor fit a particular cover letter to a particular company.

Always make it a point to customize a cover letter according to the position and company applied at.

General cover letters will be weak and will not be able to effectively sell you to the prospective employer. It will lack that certain force and appeal - or persuasiveness that customized cover letters possess.

Effective Guideline # 7: Keep their needs and self-interests in mind..

Your cover letter should be able to address the anxieties, frustrations and problems of the company you are applying at. Make sure you have this in mind when writing the letter, and show that hiring you will be a good decision.

Show that your presence in their organization will be of positive outcome to their goals and aspirations for the company. You must be able to give the impression that you can be a part of the solution and can meet their expectations.

Effective Guideline # 8: Be specific - Avoid vague statements.

When claiming to be a perfect fit to the organization, show in specific terms why you say so. Puffery will lead you nowhere. Overstatements are of no significant value if you are not able to get into specifics.

You can mention one great accomplishment or achievement from previous experiences, which will prove to be valuable to their organization. Such will hold water, and will not give the prospective employers that you intended to mislead or exaggerate.

Effective Guideline # 9: Use one-liners to emphasize a statement.

One-liners will definitely get attention as you can see why.

Effective Guideline # 10: Give them a very good reason why they should hire you.

Use your creativity. Cover letters provide for you the chance to show the prospective employers what you are made of and what you've got.

So if you can find a way to let one very good reason stick to their mind with regards to your job application, you may just succeed in being able to make your name synonymous with their job position - in a way that they can no longer seem to speak about the job opening without your name tagging along with it.

Effective Guideline # 11: Use styling and special effects sparingly.

Use simple fonts as Arial or Times New Roman. There is no need to have artistic fonts on your cover letters since you want these to look professional.

Also, always keep your formatting simple and neat. The reader will appreciate it and will be able to go through your cover letter with ease.

Effective Guideline # 12: Check your spelling and grammar.

There is nothing worse than your resume and cover letters containing spelling and grammatical errors.

Not only do such errors give you negative points, it might be interpreted by the prospective employers of the quality of the work you do. What do you think they will expect once you'll be working for them?


Persuasive Cover Letters Can Make The Difference

If you are able to follow these guidelines, you will surely get the response that you deserve out of your job application.

Definitely, cover letters should not be taken for granted - and not let your resume do all the talking for you. If you can make use of two venues to sell yourself, wouldn't it be practical and logical to use both?

Make use of your resumes and cover letters effectively. Both can work together to promote and market you well.

While resumes may have the necessary content and details that are relevant to your job applications, the reader will still have to do some thinking and some more analysis of your qualifications and their needs. But with well-written cover letters that go along with these resumes, you make it easier for the prospective employers to choose you because of your effective sales pitch on what you can offer to their organization.

These sales pitches are but only necessary - and anyways, these are not manipulative efforts since what you are saying here are the truth - you are just making it easy for them to realize that you are fit for the job and you have lots to offer. In the sales pitch, you are merely highlighting your strengths and expertise that matches what they need.

Never give the reader who is screening your cover letters to doubt if you are truly qualified for the position - don't let him or her entertain that thought, not even for a second.

Let the guidelines stated above be your reference so that you will get the right impression from the prospective employers though your persuasive cover letters.

So the next time you make your cover letters, don't miss on the opportunity to make cover letters with taste. It should always be professionally written - brief, well organized and truthful. With cover letters written appropriately, you already have the edge and interviews are surely forthcoming.