When you approach a potential employer for the first time, you want to present yourself in the best possible light. And now, with people transitioning back to work and businesses opening up, it is especially important to stand out. To show off your best qualities and get asked in for an interview, a good cover letter can make a big difference. Use the following career coach-approved tips to draft it.

The 3-Part Formula for a Successful Cover Letter

1. Introduction

Start off your cover letter by stating what job you’re applying for and where you saw it referenced so the reader can easily understand what position you’re interested in. Then, make your potential employer want to learn more about you. If you had a list of bullet points to present, start off with the most intriguing and relevant one based on the job description. This could be your last speaking engagement, your sales record for the past two years, your last appearance in court, your last accomplishment as the deputy director of a non profit or the internship you had during college.

2. Elaboration

In the second paragraph of the letter, you’ll want to describe the type of person you are and how you would be an ideal fit for the position. Make it clear that you know the job  responsibilities and qualifications and link those to your experience and competencies. You can make a more memorable impression by expressing this in the form of an anecdote. For example, even if you don’t have experience working as an art curator, you could explain a project in which you collected and coordinated other people’s work for an impressive final result. 

3. Conclusion

Finally, restate your excitement to apply for the position. Look at the company’s website to learn about their overall mission, and mention how you hope to contribute to it. End the letter with something that encourages the employer to contact you further, such as  “I look forward to hearing from you.”  However, career coaches say to avoid stating that you’ll reach out to the employer, as this may seem overbearing. It’s better for them to contact you first in response to your application. 

If you’re looking for a career coach to help you craft a cover letter that will get noticed, or follow up on that promising offer, reach out to Margaret M. Enloe, Esq. in Manhattan. She is proud to help professionals work toward the next phase of their career goals by actively listening and providing open-ended encouragement and feedback. To learn more about her services, visit the website. You can also email her to set up a consultation with this trusted career coach.