7 Ways to Make Sure They Read Your Cover Letter
Your cover letter plays a really important role in a successful job search; but only if it gets read. What is the point of writing a cover letter if no one is going to read it? Doing the following things will increase the chances that recruiters will read your cover letter when it is submitted as part of a job application.
Keep your cover letter the right length. Except for a few industries including higher education and maybe research, cover letters should be less than a page at all times. No more than three to four paragraphs are all you need to get your point across.
Make sure the salutation is correct in your cover letter. One way to get your cover letter tossed aside is to address your letter to the wrong company or wrong person. Take it from someone who reads a lot of cover letters; it does happen and it happens pretty often.
Do not use 'To Whom it May Concern" when you write a cover letter. Take the time and do the extra research to find the name of a person. Even using "Dear HR Manager" is better than addressing your cover letter "To Whom it May Concern".
Identify the specific job for which you are applying. There needs to be a clear connection between the job you are exploring, your cover letter and your resume.
Use bullets in the center of your cover letter to draw specific attention to the three or four items in your resume that make you especially qualified for the position. This is one way to really make sure they read your cover letter.
Make sure the cover letter layout including font style and type matches that of your resume. People are more likely to read an attractively laid out document than one that is crowded, jumbled or confusing.
Say how you learned about the position or who might have referred you to the hiring manager.
Don't forget to close your cover letter with your contact information, instructions for how to contact you directly and how you might follow up over the next few days or during upcoming weeks.