What Makes a Strong Cover Letter
A good cover letter is short, specific, and complements your resume rather than repeating it. Naming the role and company directly, and pointing to one concrete accomplishment relevant to the job, does more than a generic summary of your career.
Key Points
- Address it to a specific person when you can find one, it reads as more genuine.
- Keep it to a few short paragraphs, one page at most.
- Point to one or two specific, relevant accomplishments rather than restating your resume.
- Proofread carefully, a cover letter with typos undercuts an otherwise strong application.
What This Template Doesn't Cover
It doesn't write your accomplishments for you, the middle paragraph is intentionally a blank field for the specific experience or skill most relevant to the role you're applying for.
A strong cover letter is short, addressed to a specific person when possible, and highlights one or two relevant accomplishments rather than repeating your resume.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a cover letter be?
Generally no more than one page, a few focused paragraphs is enough.
Should I address it to a specific person?
Yes, when you can find one, it comes across as more genuine than 'To Whom It May Concern.'
What should the cover letter focus on?
One or two specific accomplishments or skills relevant to the role, rather than repeating your entire resume.
Keep Reading
This template and article provide general educational information for California employees and are not individualized legal advice, and may not reflect the most current law. Using this template does not create an attorney-client relationship with the Law Offices of Corey A. Pingle, and it may not be appropriate for your specific situation. Consult an attorney if you have questions about your specific situation.