Avoiding writing that dreaded cover letter? You are not alone! Check out these helpful tips to take your letter to the next level.

There’s no denying that cover letters are something we all wish to avoid like the flu. They’re often generic and difficult to compose, especially when you don’t like to write. Well, we come bearing good news. Even if you hate writing, you can still write a stand-out, one-of-a-kind cover letter that will blow the fuzzy socks off an employer. All you have to do is the following:

Nail the Intro by Telling a Story

The intro of your cover letter contains the most important lines because you want to ensure the employer reads past your first few sentences. A good cover letter grips the interest of the employer and doesn’t let them go until the very last line. To do this, do more than just introduce yourself – tell a unique story about you that will draw attention and compel them to keep reading.

Hiring managers often face the dreaded task of going through hundreds of applications (that eventually start to look the same), so you’re doing them a favour and making their job a lot easier by engaging them with your cover letter from the get-go.

How to do this:

1. Make it clear who you are professionally – introduce yourself in a way that aligns with what they’re looking for – you can find this information by doing research on the company’s values.
2. Tell them why, specifically, you want this role and what interests you about the company.
3. If you have one, name a mutual connection or referral. A referral can help you stand out from the crowd when you are applying for a job. Hiring managers are more likely to take a closer look at candidates with whom they share a mutual contact.
4. This last one is key – tell a personal tale that expresses your key strengths as it relates to the position you are applying to, as well as communicates unique aspects of your winning personality. You want them to get to know you beyond your strengths!

Here are some examples of stories one can use in their cover letter.

Use the Right Tone

Cover letters must be professional, but they do not have to be formal. Give your letter some personality and use it as a stepping stone for the employer to get to know you. That is what a cover letter is for, to complement the skills and experiences you have already listed on your resume. You can showcase some of your personality by writing in first person, which is okay to do.

Here’s the thing, people are not robots; they are, well, people. They want to get to know the real you, and if they can get a feel for that from your cover letter, there’s a better chance they will invite you for an interview so that they can continue to get to know that person they connected with or related too.

Just to reiterate, this does not mean you write too casual of a letter, it simply means you write the letter in the same style you would use to talk to the employer in real life.

Focus on Content Rather Than Length

For some reason, a lot of people seem to believe that focusing on the length of the cover letter is more important than the actual content, when really there are no rules (contrary to popular belief). While you don’t want to bore them with an essay of a letter, you also want to make sure you give them enough content that matches what they are looking for to know you are worth the interview. Those are really the only length rules you need to follow.

In terms of content, keep it compelling and concise. Use the space to get all your important points across, and make sure you do so by asking yourself the following questions (adapted from an article by Forbes):

1. What are the specific reasons I am applying for this job? Did I make this very clear? Do I look like I am passionate and enthusiastic about working here?
2. Am I sharing (concisely) the ways in which I am a match for this job based on what I know about this position from the job description and/or information I’ve received from people who work here?
3. Am I coming across as genuine and likeable and as someone that they want to meet and potentially want on their team?

Moving forward, you need to end the cover letter with a call to action. Remind them that your resume is enclosed, give your contact information and say that you look forward to hearing from them soon. Keep this to a few short sentences.

Finally, before sending it off, remember to proofread – mistakes and typos put you at risk of being screened out of the competition.

Remember, we all have great skills to offer employers, we just need to convey them effectively. After implementing these helpful tips, you are sure to have a standout cover letter. Get your career advisor to read over it once you’re done, and then you’ll be all set for the job hunt!