you need to write a better cover letter
For employers, picking the best candidate for the job isn’t just about skills and experience. If it were, they wouldn’t ask for cover letters at all — hell, we might not even need interviews. We could...
View Articlehere’s a real-life example of a fantastic cover letter
I often get asked for examples of good cover letters, and a reader recently sent me a great one that I want to share. This is a fantastic example of how someone without a ton of work experience (she’s...
View Articlethis is one of my favorite cover letters ever
Today I’m sharing with you one of my favorite cover letters of all time. This is a superb example of how to use your cover letter to make a strong case for yourself without resorting to repeating your...
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here’s a bunch of help finding a new job
Since lots of people are job-searching right now, here’s a round-up of some of the most key job-searching advice on this site. Resumes and Cover Letters The first thing to know is, if you’re not...
View Articlecover letter swindles
If you’re a job seeker one year out of college and you write this in your cover letter, I’m going to be very, very skeptical: My work experience has honed my natural ability to lead, teach, and manage...
View Articlemore things not to say in your cover letter
In our continuing Things Not to Say series, here are more things not to say in your cover letter: • “I strongly believe your search can end today.” Um, wow. You haven’t even talked to anyone yet to...
View Articlewhat’s wrong with my cover letter?
A reader writes: I’m actively job-hunting, and I’ve had no luck getting interviews. People tell me that I’m great in person, so I have to assume that I’m doing something terribly wrong when I represent...
View Articledo you have an awesome cover letter?
Do you have the cover letter to rule all other cover letters? Rachel Kaufman, who has been nice enough to feature many of my articles at MediaBistro, wants your help. She writes: I’m putting together...
View ArticleI don’t want to share my cover letter with coworkers!
A reader writes: I don’t want to sound like a conceited jerk here. But I put a lot of work into my cover letter and resume, and while I have shared it with a few close friends, I don’t believe it is...
View Articleare you making these 8 mistakes on your cover letter?
If hiring were just about who had the best experience to do the job, employers wouldn’t need to conduct interviews — they could just look at resumes and make a hire. But obviously it doesn’t work that...
View Articlehow can I write shorter cover letters?
A reader writes: I am struggling with cover letters. I think I write thoughtful, well-organized letters. I have revised my layout so that my letters are more concise; however, I often still struggle to...
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if you’re not getting interviews, read this
I have talked to a lot of people lately who aren’t getting interviews and who can’t figure out what the problem is. They tell me that they know their resume and cover letter are fine (and often people...
View Article10 phrases that don’t belong in your cover letter
Think your cover letter is perfectly crafted? Check to make sure you’re not including any of these no-no’s in it. 1. “I meet the requirements for the position.” Hundreds of candidates will meet the...
View Articleis it time to close down college career centers?
I recently got a letter from a senior in college asking if her cover letters were too focused on herself and not enough on the organizations she was applying to. She showed me a typical letter, which...
View Articledon’t start your cover letters with “if you’re looking for…”
I see a lot of cover letters that open with some variation of “If you are looking for a dynamic professional who can XYZ, you’ve found the right person.” You must stop this. It is salesy, it’s...
View Articlewhat IS a cover letter, anyway?
A reader writes: This is a long email to ask a very short question: what is a cover letter? I know it’s really basic, but that’s why it’s throwing me so much! How would you explain what a cover letter...
View Articledoes a cover letter have to sound like an infomercial?
This post was originally published on October 25, 2010. A reader writes: I really appreciate your blog and your candor, and I have used your advice many times during my job search. In fact, the...
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this is a resume and cover letter that work
A reader recently shared with me the resume and cover letter she used to get a new job, and I liked them so much that I got her to agree to let me share them here. Note: Do not steal these and make...
View Articlesomething your cover letter does not need to do
I’ve seen a few people lately advising others that a cover letter needs to address every single one of the qualifications listed in the job ad. This is not true, and it will usually make for a crowded,...
View Articlehow to write a cover letter that will get you an interview
If you’re like most job seekers, you’re not taking advantage of one of the best ways to get a hiring manager’s attention: writing a great cover letter. Cover letters can be what gets you pulled out of...
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here’s a real-life example of a great cover letter (with before and after...
I had sworn off sharing more examples of real-life resumes and cover letters for a while because when I’ve done it in the past, I’ve found it supremely frustrating that people want to tear them apart...
View Article“I am confident I am the best candidate for the job” is a ridiculous thing to...
Interesting fact: People who start their cover letters with “I am confident I am the best candidate for the job” never are. Literally, never. I’ve now seen it stated enough to state this with...
View Articledon’t start your cover letter with “my name is” and other rules
Some random thoughts from hiring work recently, in no particular order: * Do not start your cover letter with “My name is…” unless you are under the age of 10. This does not make you sound like a...
View Articlehow long should a cover letter be?
A reader writes: I have the most basic of questions, but I’ve received a different answer from everyone I ask. How long should a cover letter be? I tend to be more concise in my writing, so I would be...
View Articleshould I use wording from the job ad in my resume or cover letter?
A reader writes: I am a recent graduate and have a question concerning tailoring your resume/cover letter to the job. I read online that hiring managers dismiss candidates who copy large amounts of...
View Articlehow should I format a cover letter?
A reader writes: Could you elaborate more about how formatting should be done on a cover letter? For example, should paragraphs be justified or should they use a ragged right edge? I use a cover letter...
View Articledid I commit a cardinal job-searching sin?
A reader writes: I think I have inadvertently committed a cardinal job-searching sin. Here’s the necessary backstory: I’m a recent college grad (June ’14) looking for a job in a STEM field. I signed up...
View Article8 phrases that are killing your cover letters
Few people like writing cover letters, and as a result they tend to fall back on clichés and fluff that don’t strengthen their application and in many cases weaken it. See how many of these eight...
View Articleend your doubts about cover letters, all ye who enter here
A reader writes: I’m sure you get tons of emails letting you know how helpful your site is, but I’d like to express my gratitude because your advice helped me land my dream job. As background, I was...
View Articledo “pain letters” really work?
A reader writes: I wanted to know what your take is on “pain letters.” I have been reading up on career advice, and I ran across an article by a Forbes contributor who says that we should junk cover...
View Articlemy favorite cover letter tips, and why you should volunteer if you’re unemployed
Two miscellaneous things: 1. In this article in Self, I do a round-up of my favorite tips for writing good cover letters. 2. And a reader sent me this interesting news release from the Corporation for...
View Articlehow do I write a compelling cover letter when I don’t have much work experience?
A reader writes: I’m applying for administrative/production assistant jobs, and I don’t know how to start the cover letter. I hate starting with, “I was excited to see a position open…” or, “I’m...
View Articlehere’s another example of a great cover letter
I often get asked for examples of good cover letters, and a reader recently sent me a great one that I want to share. One thing I like about this one is that it’s shorter than others I’ve previously...
View Articleshould you attach your cover letter or put it in the body of the email?
A reader writes: When applying to a job via email, do you attach your cover letter or do you paste it in the body of the email, or both? Either one is fine. No one really cares, seriously. I mean,...
View Articlewhoever told you to be creative in your cover letter has led you horribly astray
A reader sent me this real-life cover letter that she received from a job applicant: Hi. This very professionally-beginning cover letter should immediately alert you to my easy-going and comprehensive...
View Articlewhere’s the line between necessary self-promotion and overconfidence in cover...
A reader writes: My question is a little woolly, but one I was hoping you could shed some light on: In cover letters, where is the line between necessary self-promotion and overconfidence? I’m looking...
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if you’re not getting interviews, here’s how to fix your resume and cover letter
If you’re not getting interviews, you probably need to fix your resume and cover letter. I talk to a lot of people who aren’t getting interviews and who can’t figure out what the problem is. They tell...
View Articlehow to write a cover letter that will help you get an interview
When you’re applying for jobs, your cover letter can be the determining factor in whether you hear nothing from an employer or whether you get called for an interview. And yet job seekers regularly...
View Articlehere’s another real-life sample of a great cover letter
I regularly get asked for examples of good cover letters, and I’m always nervous about sharing them because PEOPLE STEAL THEM. But a reader sent me a great one and gave me permission to share it, and I...
View Articlethese are bad ways to start your cover letter
People often really struggle over how to start a cover letter, and as a result they often end up with lines that are overly salesy, gimmicky, or just very tired. Here are popular opening lines that you...
View Articlehow to write a great cover letter
I’ve read a lot of cover letters in my career – thousands of them, maybe even tens of thousands. (If you’re thinking that sounds like really boring reading, you’re right.) And in them, I’ve seen job...
View Articlehere’s an example of an excellent cover letter
I often get asked for examples of good cover letters, and a reader recently sent me a good one that I want to share. I’m always telling people “don’t just use your cover letter to summarize your resume...
View Articlehere’s an example of a cover letter that will make you a stronger candidate
This post, here’s an example of a cover letter that will make you a stronger candidate , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. I frequently get asked for examples of good cover...
View Articlethis is why you need a good cover letter
This post, this is why you need a good cover letter , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I wanted to offer some testimony on why cover letters are so important....
View Articlehere’s a template to make writing cover letters easier
This post, here’s a template to make writing cover letters easier , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. I recently received this letter from a reader: I wanted to add another...
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