How To : Write a Killer Cover Letter

Today's Business Tips

In-between jobs and looking for one? Or simply planning for a career shift ?

But having some difficulty what to tell your prospective employer?

How do you "market" your skills? How to create the best first impression through your letter?

Read on...

How To  :   Write a Killer Cover Letter

•  from Men's Health/"How to do Everything Better"

  Step 1

  Avoid the clichéd first line, “I am writing to express interest…” 

  Instead, opt for an opener with some marketing flair (“Did 

  you know that 80 percent of CEOs share X, Y, and Z traits?”) 

  or boast about your panic-free management style. 

  Step 2

  Explain what intrigues you about this company and why 

  you’re interested in this particular position. Generic form 

  letters sound bland and trite, so tailor each cover letter to 

  the specific job you’re applying for. 

  Step 3

  Talk about ways you've been instrumental at your current 

  company. Have you won an award, increased sales, 

  generated bottom-line revenue, managed a team, or been 

  selected for something notable? This is the place to toot your

  horn. 

  Step 4

  Share some personal information that's relevant to the 

  company. Talk about your communication style or your ability 

  to garner support from coworkers. If you're an engineer 

  applying to be a chef, mention the cook-off you won or the 

  party menus you've planned. Leave out anything irrelevant 

  or negative, like medical issues, money woes, or your 

  deep-seated hatred for your previous boss. 

  Step 5

  Make sure it's under a page—and not single-spaced with 

  8-pt font. Your cover letter is like an appetizer to your resume, 

  and it should match in font size, and formatting