Request a Consultation from an Award-Winning Recruiter and Resume Writer

(Board, C-Level, VP, Director & Mid-Career Professionals)

To Send or not to Send: The Why’s and How’s of Writing a Powerful Cover Letter

However, even though you never know whether the cover letter you have carefully crafted will end up being read, you should write and send it every time. Why? Because most Hiring Managers will give your application bonus points just for submitting one. After all, the fact that you took the time to write a cover letter demonstrates your motivation, initiative, and genuine interest in the position. And if actually read, a compelling letter will set you well apart from other candidates.

So don’t forgo a chance to get bumped to the top of the employer’s list and follow these five useful tips to take your cover letter from passable to powerful:

    1.  Be focused

The cover letter gives you a perfect chance to state your case and present yourself as the best possible candidate for the position. Take advantage of this opportunity to demonstrate your professional value. Tell the HR what makes you better than others. Do you have any accomplishments you’re proud of? What can you do for your potential employer?

And in case you were wondering: yes, that means you write a different cover letter in response to each job posting you apply for. You can either create a general template and add relevant details for every application you send out, or have a long comprehensive version of a cover letter ready, deleting unnecessary facts to suit each vacancy.

     2.  Don’t repeat the resume 

If you do, you’ll waste your own and HR’s precious time. Your goal is to reinforce the facts and figures you’ve put on your resume, adding some “juice” to mere words and numbers. People love stories, they get invested in the narrative, so do your best to tell a compelling tale that the recruiter will be interested to read. Specify, quantify, and take full advantage of the SOAR method (situation or opportunity, action, and results).

    3.  Be concise 

These days people scan even short texts, such as news articles and blog posts, before deciding whether or not they are worth reading in full. I bet even you find yourself doing the same. Remember, no one will bother reading an autobiographical novel that you send in lieu of a targeted cover letter. So keep things short and simple (and I mean no more than one page). And don’t waste valuable real estate by mentioning details that have nothing to do with the value you can bring to the advertised position.

    4.  No negative talk 

Your cover letter is essentially your marketing brochure. You don’t see ads going on and on about product deficiencies, imperfections, and malfunctions, right? Adopt a similar strategy and avoid diving into the abyss of self-depreciation. Either omit negative statements altogether or, if you really need to mention that you don’t know some software or a certain procedure, put a positive, hopeful spin on it.

    5.  No arrogance

Be careful not to run to another extreme and make sure you don’t come off as someone who thinks they are better than others. Don’t overestimate your knowledge and abilities either – if you’re hired, the truth will soon be revealed. Be confident and open to communication, but never pretentious or snobbish, and you’ll do just fine.

Cover Letter Tips Recap

Do you usually send cover letters along with your resumes? Do you target each letter or have a “one size fits all” version? Do you need special tips and tricks on how to use your cover letter? Consider hiring a professional resume and cover letter service!

Let us help you land your next position by crafting the best ATS optimized resume or by managing your entire job search. Here’s more information about our Resume Writing Services and Reverse Recruitment Service. Book a call today to speak directly with our CEO and Founder, Arno Markus!

About iCareerSolutions

iCareerSolutions, America’s #1 Executive and Professional Resume Writing Services, Reverse Recruitment, and LinkedIn Profile Development Company. 28X award-winning resume writers deliver professional resumes that get interviews. We have successfully landed our executive clients senior-level leadership positions at companies like Apple, Amazon, EA, Oracle, GM, Google, Facebook, DoJ, Gap, and 2U just to name a few. iCareerSolutions has 200+ 5-star reviews and offers a 60-day interview guarantee. Every resume template created is Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) compatible and highly customized to meet your unique needs.

Active Members of The National Resume Writers’ Association (NRWA) │ The Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches (PARW&CC) │ Career Directors International (CDI) │ Career Professionals (CPC) │ Forbes Coaches Council

One of the Top Multi-Award-Winning Resume Writing Services in the country.

Book a complimentary consultation for your Professionally Managed Job Search now!

Forbes Coaches Council
60 Day Interview Guarantee

Here are some of our Top Resume Testimonials

Rachelle F.
Arno was very professional and created a resume that really highlights my successes. His coaching has also been instrumental in my job searches, career profiles, and professional goals. I was very impressed by his knowledge and advise. Arno was always prompt for our scheduled sessions and quickly responded to all of my email inquiries. I would definitely hire Arno again. …
Rachelle FitzpatrickDirector of Operations
Matt Fleming
Let me start by stating that Arno works wonders with resumes. Not only was I very pleased with the relationship between being a client and working with Arno to improve my resume, but I was also extremely impressed with what he was able to do with the mish-mash of information I provided him to work with. He was able to produce something that I was, and continue to be, very proud to show to prospect…
Matt FlemingChange Management Operational Leader
blank profile picture 1
Dear Arno, Apologies for the late reply.  Please find attached my comments.  I think this is looking very good.
Aziza Azam
miran
“I highly recommend Arno of iCareers for his outstanding highly professional time-efficient performance and assistance in professional powerful CV and LinkedIn-profile writing! His insightful advices and approaches based on his rich industry experience are invaluable. Do you need an efficient effective true professional helping you with your high-level CV and LinkedIn profile and more, do not hes…
Miran PleterskiDirector of Advisory Services
Luke Onorato
My career goal was to land a finance position in New York city. I spent over a year applying to numerous job postings and reaching out to companies to attempt to tell my story. I had Arno work on rebuilding my resume and cover letter. After receiving my new resume, I applied to four new job posting, interviewed with all four companies, and landed an offer. Arno helped explain my story on paper and…
Luke Onorato
Arabella I.
From the first phone call to the final drafts of my CV and LinkedIn profile, Arno was energetic, honest and punctual. Above all, Arno has an obvious capacity and depth of knowledge for writing CVs and LinkedIn profile summaries. He took my experience and my skills and turned them into selling points in one document – organized, understandable and interesting. Thank you so much Arno for all your he…
Arabella I.
blank profile picture
Thanks to the team at iCareer and Arno Markus for helping me and my family secure new jobs and helping with updating our resume. Also, the personal touch iCareer me us feel special, showing they cared and provided the extra support we needed. Again, thank you so much iCarerr and Arno Markus.
Kguis chard
Lynn Petersen
I reached out to Arno to assist me in adding that “professional” look to my resume. He was a great resource to work with, providing guidance and advice. While updating a resume can be an arduous process, Arno brought his extensive experience and helped me produce a professional resume that I am proud to share. I would work with Arno again, should the need arise!…
Lynn PeterseneCommerce Project Manager
Kathryn Breaker
I was so fortunate to find Arno! I had been struggling with editing my resume, just couldn’t cut that third page out on my own. And also knew my success statements needed more impact and focus. Arno was able to pull it together and make it a statement piece. Arno also provided needed insights into how to brand with focus. I also appreciate his background with recruiting as you have to know your ma…
Kathryn BreakerController
men in blue color blazer
Excellent work! I really love what you did with the resume and cover letter. It is visually strong and the achievements really pop out nicely!!
Chuck Brennan

Top Resume Writing Awards

Employers who have Onboarded Our Clients

Scroll to Top
Scroll to Top