Every single cover letter should be personalized. If you’ve been out in the world looking for a job for any length of time, you know this. You’ve been told over and over. And it makes sense - if you’re an employer, are you going to give precedence to the cover letter that says something unique and interesting and shows that the jobseeker took their time and cares about getting a job at your company… or the one that reads like a form letter?
Here’s the problem, though: really and truly making each letter personal by rewriting it from the ground up each time to fit the needs of every single job you apply for - that just isn’t feasible for most of us. Nor is it practical. You should be spending your time looking for more jobs rather than agonizing over perfecting a cover letter that - let’s face it - most likely isn’t going to get you hired.
So what’s the answer, then? Too generic and you get ignored. Too specific and personal and you’re likely wasting time. What you need is a middle ground. A way to make each letter feel personal without actually needing to start from scratch each time. Check out the tips below and you’ll be ready to do just that - employers will be beating down your door in no time!
Name the person you’re emailing. I know it’s difficult - and sometimes impossible these days with internet postings that can even withhold the name of the company - but do whatever you can to get the name of the person to whom the email is going. Call the company. Go to their website. When all else fails, don’t do the generic “To Whom It May Concern,” Instead, address your application to the “Hiring Manager”, “College Recruiter”, or “Selection Committee.”
Give them what they want. Many job postings will request certain kinds of information from you, or that you provide it in a specific way. Make sure that you actually do this - it may seem silly and simple, but a lot of people won’t do it correctly, and they’re likely to be dismissed outright. Following the directions they give you shows that you’re paying attention and (wait for it) can follow directions. The one exception to this rule - sometimes - is when companies ask you for salary requirements. It’s always better for them to offer a salary to you rather than the other way around.
Subject: Job I’m applying for. This one is simple, but important. Always put the job title of the position you’re applying for in the subject. The person you’re emailing most likely deals with hundreds, if not thousands, of emails a day, so the clearer your subject is, the better.
Customize… within reason. This goes back to giving them what they want. Every job post should have clues about the kind of person they are looking for and what kind of skills that person should have. Your goal in writing the cover letter is to echo those needs and say that you’re amazing at exactly those things (what are the odds?!). Phones are going to be a huge part of the position? Highlight your phone experience in the letter. They want a superstar typist? Copy and paste that line in your resume about how you type 120 WPM. And if you can find out any useful (positive) info about the company, find a way to get it in there.
Ideally, while every job and company is different, you’re going to be applying to a lot of similar positions, so if you can come up with several cover letter “templates,” it will make job searching a lot easier down the line. Just mix and match and you’re ready to go!
