How to Create a Comprehensive Cover Letter:

Cover letters. Also known as the second most intimidating part of a job application (the first being interviews). It is important to keep in mind that a cover letter is so much more than just an elaboration of your resume. A cover letter is your story - it's a way to introduce yourself to your employer and establish a connection before even getting to meet them (if you haven't done so already). This is also a way in which whoever is reviewing your application will decide whether you are a good fit for the company. 

So how should you structure your cover letter? What points should you include and what’s not quite as relevant? Well, keep reading and you may just find out!

With regards to structure, here is the usual format for a cover letter:

1. Header and address/salutation:

The header to your cover letter should match the one on your resume. This not only creates continuity, but it also builds your personal brand and helps the employer make a connection between both documents. 

It is also key to address the correct person/department and include the correct employer. A common mistake that occurs is when one uses the same/similar cover letter for multiple companies and then forgets to adjust the person they’re addressing or the place they’re applying to. Be sure to check for this! Make it your first step when compiling or editing your letter. Mislabelling the company is an automatic disqualification.

2. Introduction:

Just like any other essay, the introduction of your cover letter will give the reader an idea of what to expect. Here, you should mention some of your beliefs and values that help you connect to the position and/or company. You can also take some time to briefly explain how some of your relevant experiences have contributed to strengthening these values and prepared you for the responsibilities that will entail. 

Remember to keep it brief by sticking to only 1-3 experiences and values; keep it short and to the point without giving too much away - save all that for later. This is where the analysis of your enthusiasm, fit for the company, willingness to learn and grow in your role, as well as your ability to add value begins. Think of your intro as a teaser; you’re looking to hook your audience by catching their attention. 

3. Body Paragraph(s)

Here is where the brief mentions in your introduction can be further elaborated. While you don’t need to explicitly mention the companies you’ve worked, volunteered, or interned at in your introduction, you must do that here. 

If space allows, you can break up this segment into multiple paragraphs. This can help to organize your information, whether by skill, company, or whatever you deem appropriate - remember to keep it consistent. 

Body paragraphs are a great place to get technical and specific about your transferable skills. In your introduction, you highlighted and summarized them, now you can explain exactly how your previous roles helped you develop these skills. This can be done by using examples or narratives; tell a story, how did you solve a problem? How did you add value? Why is what you did important and how will it apply to or help the company you are applying to? 

Use numbers. Quantify your achievements and the impact that your actions had to create a stronger impression. Be sure to use the keywords mentioned in the job description as this is one way in which you can connect to your potential employer. 

4. Conclusion

Again, like any essay, the conclusion should sum up your previous points and reiterate your excitement or enthusiasm for the position/opportunity/company. While you have the option of specifying why your skills and experiences make you a great candidate at the end of your body paragraphs, the conclusion is also a place where you can point this out in a holistic or general way. 

Try to keep your conclusion short and to the point. If the job description asks any additional questions to be addressed in your cover letter, such as location/office preference or to include a link to a video interview, the concluding paragraph is where you would include this information. 

You also must close on a positive note! Negativity has never helped anyone, especially not professionally. Be sure to thank whoever is reviewing your application for their time and consideration before stating that you hope to hear from them or work with them soon. You may also ask them to contact you if they require further information or need to discuss something. 

5. Last but not least, sign off in a professional manner is the best way to close.

In terms of length, it is best to stay relevant and concise.

Ideally, your cover letter should be less than one page long and contain a word count of less than 300 words. This ensures readability and that you are getting to the point - not circling aimlessly with unnecessary words that may tire your reader. Big blocks of text can also deter the person reviewing your application as it may signal to them that you lack clarity and good judgment of your strongest points. More isn’t always better.

Compared to your resume which is only a summary of your qualifications, history, and achievements, a cover letter is significantly more qualitative and in-depth. 

While there are points you would like to include on both documents, the cover letter gives you the opportunity to explore what you achieved in those experiences and opportunities while tying it directly to the company - either through its core values, mission statement, or initiatives. 

Remember to only include the most relevant skills and experiences in these explanations; these could be the points listed on the job description, information gathered from a recruiter or something you’re currently working towards in order to build your competencies in the field. Again, these are incredibly important for determining your fit for not just the position, but also the company. 

But do not worry if there is an overlap between your resume and cover letter! While repeated redundancy is to be avoided, you still must mention key transferable skills and experiences on both documents. This will help reinforce what you are trying to convey to your potential employer.