- Send letters to individuals, not just to companies or departments. Call the company and find out the name and title of the person to whom to address your letter. It shows initiative, resourcefulness and will impress your reader that you figured out a way to address him/her personally.
- Whenever possible, target your letters to department heads and hiring managers. Your goal is to get your letter to the person who actually does the hiring and for whom you would be working.
- Your letter should indicate your specific interest in a particular company. Generic letters hit the trash pretty fast. The more you tailor your letter to your target company, the better your chances of getting that interview.
- Keep it short. A one-page cover letter is the most powerful. A couple of well-crafted paragraphs are sufficient to get your point across.
- State the purpose of your letter in your opening paragraph. Are you inquiring about internships? Full-time positions? Responding to an ad? Requesting an informational interview? Make your objective clear up front.
- Focus on your readers' needs, not yours. Make your qualifications clear and emphasize how you can use them to help their organization. Your cover letter should not shout "Me! Me! Me!" Try to keep sentences that begin with "I" to a minimum.
- When describing your qualifications, don't just quote from your résumé. Include examples from your work experience—or academic experience—that demonstrate your skills.
- State in your letter that you will be in touch and then remember to follow up.
- If you've been referred by someone, make the most of your connection. Name the person who referred you in your opening sentence. The familiar name will grab your reader's attention, and your letter and résumé will get more careful consideration.
- Read for clues. An ad tells you what a company is looking for—prior experience, necessary skills, qualifications—so pay close attention and make the most of the information you are given.
- If you meet all the stated requirements, spell this out in your letter. Accentuate the good match between your skills and their needs. Doing so will emphasize your viability as a candidate.
- If the name of the company is listed in the ad, do some research. Your response should reflect your specific interest in their company. Show you know something about the company and tailor your letter accordingly. Your initiative and knowledge will make your letter stand out.