Listen to Podcast Now:
SUMMARY
Modern-day cover letter is your introduction—of any kind—to the employer.
There are essentially three ways this occurs:
- Cover Letter
- Email (with attached resume)
- Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Your “cover letter” has three goals:
- Explain why you’ve contacted the employer.
- Provide insight on who you are and what you offer.
- Show enthusiasm and interest in hearing (back) from the employer.
You can accomplish these three goals in four sentences, which I discuss in the video. You can also grab this FREE 4 SENTENCE COVER LETTER DOWNLOAD to see the exact format!
If you have haven’t seen How To Build the Ultimate Professional Resume, check it out because some of the cover letter content references your resume.
Like this episode? Please share it via social media and review it on YouTube on iTunes! I can keep this blog and all future videos and podcasts ad-free and sponsor-free ONLY because you share my work! Please share or subscribe to my podcast and YouTube channel too!
Want more advanced material? Join the milewalk Academy and grab some of the free offerings that support the instruction in this post!
Perfect! So many people either skip the cover letter or really struggle with how to craft it…this is spot on.
Thanks Shannon! Hope you’re well!
Thank you Andrew for this article…
You’re welcome Helen!
This will be very useful for any job seeker.
Thanks Lourdes and glad you liked it!
Thanks, Andrew,
This is great and it will help me improve on my current cover letter structure, which is pretty similar, except that I handle points 2 and 3 in paragraphs rather than single sentences and I will now work on turning them into sentences as I understand how a shorter cover letter, with just 4 to-the-point sentences can trigger more interest within the reader’s attention span, than a lengthier one
Many thanks
You’re welcome George and glad you liked it. Just remember, be yourself in the cover letter. My intent is to give you ideas, but you should still use your own style. Whatever makes you feel most comfortable is usually best. But, if you can trim it down without losing “any of you” in the communication, do it!!!
Thanks for writing this article Andrew… Writing a cover letter has always been one of my least favorites parts of the job search process and I think the template you provided will be a big help. However, I have heard from experts that you should include specific details about how you can help the company prosper and generate more revenue if hired. Is just listing my skills enough?
Katya
Katya. Fantastic question. A few points. The reason I don’t recommend including specific details is because unless you have spoken with the employer already and know specifically what they need, you’re being presumptuous regarding how you can help them. Instead, I would make sure to point them to the highlights in your resume (where they should see your revenue-generating abilities). In the cover letter, you can put how you have helped your employers generate revenue by [whatever tactics] and indicate that would put you in a good position to help them generate revenue and so forth. Perhaps this is a fine line, but many employers are put off by job candidates who make bold, unsubstantiated claims. I think it’s a more effective approach to point them to your strengths. Make sense?
Great advice! Thank you!
You’re welcome Julia! So glad you liked it!
Hi! Andrew I have opportunity to review all material with successfully information but I’ll. Now I WILL LIKE TO know if you company can help to make my resume and cover letterstory. I would to know what is the next step. Thanks
Amparo, thanks for the nice words. Check out this workshop! If you enroll by tonight February 10th, 2017 at 11:59 PM PST, I will also review your resume when you’re finished! https://www.milewalkacademy.com/p/build-your-ultimate-professional-resume-workshop
Great message! I love succinct cover letters, don’t usually read long wordy cover letters and am disappointed when there’s nothing accompanying a resume. Great advice:)
JP
Thanks Jennifer! I hope you’re doing well. Great to get your feedback on my blog!!!
Would u post sample coverletters here
Hi Ashok, you should be able to double the sample cover letter from the link in the post!
Andy,
I was watching your YouTube feed on “How to create the perfect resume” and you offered a download of a template resume. I’m a visual learner and I was expecting an example of a completed resume with all the sections and formats so I could use that as guide to prepare my resume. The download was text explaining “how to create the perfect resume.” I don’t want a boilerplate but I would be very appreciative and feel more confident if I could see a copy of a completed resume. Do you offer that on your blog or YouTube channel. I couldn’t find it. There are so many people on YouTube hawking every conceivable formatted resumes. HELP!
Jim, I think you’re now in the resume program. Let me know what you need. There is a word template formatted in there for you to type over. I can also send you sample resumes. –Andy
Very good advice!
Writing a cover letter has always been tough task for many job seekers including me, as i was looking for the great advice on how to craft a cover letter, what to include and all in CV, here i have found Perfect tips and guide to write a cover letter, thank a lot for sharing with us. So helpful.
You’re welcome Mayur!
Andrew, great advice to bring cover letters into the digital age. I have written even one sentence emails, but I like your approach with a little more to add intrigue to review the resume.
Jeff, love the 1-sentence cover letter! 🙂
I usually do not attach my cover letter since it is mostly not manadatory. I like your simple yet apt cover letter and so I will start working on one based on your template. Thanks again, Andy!
Wonderful!
Wow I am so impressed, it has been two years now. No luck of a job. I did Mathematical Technology at the University of Technology, but I am not recognized at all. And I want to believe that it is all because of the way that I am selling myself. Please let me know if I can have an opportunity that you see my resume and cover letter.
Glad you found me Athenkosi!!!
Andrew I truly appreciate you because I had to help my son with a resume and your tip are God sent. I have told everyone who will listen about you. Thank you so much for what you do
Rosa, thank YOU so much!!
could you plz make a vedio on writing selection criteria for non experience person. it is very difficult to write without any practical experience.