May 10th, 2011

Cover letter dos and donts -- advice from an alumni who does a lot of recruiting

Clearly explain previous work experience

Clearly explain previous work experience Do

Understand where you are applying

Explain who your previous employers are and what you did for them Be descriptive and detailed regarding your responsibilities and achievements Clarify why previous work is relevant for the company (in both resume and cover letter)

Positive elements to include

Be personable and distinct

Demonstrate passion and work ethic

Link school and work to company

Do
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Display knowledge of company

Clearly explain previous work experience Do

Understand where you are applying

Demonstrate understanding of both the company and the its entire industry Acknowledge and understand the division of the company where you are applying Cite relevant facts about the company, or even better, produce insights that display critical thinking about the company and what they do

Positive elements to include

Be personable and distinct

Demonstrate passion and work ethic

Link school and work to company

Do
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Be personable and distinct

Clearly explain previous work experience Do

Understand where you are applying

Make yourself memorable by emphasizing unique achievements and interests, especially if applicable to the job in some way Use a cover letter as a chance to say something extra and highlight soft skills and unique traits; proficiencies, work history, and grades will appear in the application package Write an engaging opening paragraph that will immediately differentiate your application Do
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Positive elements to include

Be personable and distinct

Demonstrate passion and work ethic

Link school and work to company

Demonstrate passion and work ethic

Clearly explain previous work experience Do

Understand where you are applying

Ensure that cover letter adequately conveys enthusiasm for the job Make your work ethic a relevant factor Display a desire to help long-term and a willingness to consider a career with the company

Positive elements to include

Be personable and distinct

Demonstrate passion and work ethic

Link school and work to company

Do
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Link school and work to company

Clearly explain previous work experience Do

Understand where you are applying

Explicate how university courses have helped you think about business Show passion for using learned skills on the job Demonstrate how your school experience will make you a good fit with the company

Positive elements to include

Be personable and distinct

Demonstrate passion and work ethic

Link school and work to company

Do
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Dont omit cover letter

Omit cover letter

Dont

Use poor spelling or formatting

Fail to provide a cover letter (severely decreases likelihood of being considered) Include a generic cover letter with no customization relating to the company or its industry Recite your skills summary or work experience directly from your resume

Negative elements to avoid

Focus on benefits to you

Exaggerate anything

Use informal or trite language

Dont
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Dont use poor spelling or formatting

Omit cover letter

Dont

Use poor spelling or formatting

Include ANY spelling mistakes these stand out and can be difficult for the reviewer to get over Assume that fancy HTML formatting will appear correctly in all browsers and print formats without prior testing

Negative elements to avoid

Focus on benefits to you

Exaggerate anything

Use informal or trite language

Dont
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Dont focus on benefits to you

Omit cover letter

Dont

Use poor spelling or formatting

Imply in any way that you are just looking for experience and only want the job for one term Emphasize why you want the job, rather than why the company should want you Use phrases such as I am looking for a job in the _______ industry because

Negative elements to avoid

Focus on benefits to you

Exaggerate anything

Use informal or trite language

Dont
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Dont exaggerate anything

Omit cover letter

Dont

Use poor spelling or formatting

Express that you will revolutionize our business or industry because of a few courses you took Exaggerate any experience, job titles, capabilities (these will either be irrelevant and therefore unnecessary, or important and you will be caught on your exaggeration) Use designations you do not have (i.e. say you are a CFA candidate just because you are planning to write the tests) Dont
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Negative elements to avoid

Focus on benefits to you

Exaggerate anything

Use informal or trite language

Dont use informal or trite language

Omit cover letter

Dont

Use poor spelling or formatting

Say that you are obsessed with anything Allocate yourself informal attributes, such as a bubbly personality or can-do attitude Use clich phrases such as seeking a challenging position

Negative elements to avoid

Focus on benefits to you

Exaggerate anything

Use informal or trite language

Dont

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