Bill Bross ⋅ Pontiac, MI Hewlett Packard ⋅ 23 years experience

I don't think the format is particularly important. Obviously, spelling and grammar checking is important, but your cover letter is basically an introduction to the person you're contacting. I would keep it brief - no more than a couple of paragraphs - but it should contain something more than just a bland statement that you're writing to apply for a position. Maybe something about your passion, combined with a couple of buzzwords from the job description. You want to come off as enthusiastic about not just finding a job, but about that job in particular. What can you bring to the table? If the position is some kind of audit / control, you might include a brief example of your attention to detail. If the position is new product development you could reference something in your history that points to your ability to innovate. Your resume should back this up, but the cover letter gives you a chance to capture the recruiter's attention, perhaps make you stand out a bit.

Hope this helps; good luck in your search.

John Stevens ⋅ Middletown, MD ⋅ 20 years experience

Michael,

Years ago I had an office manager and former school teacher that gave me advice on letter and memo formats. She said look at it from three to four feet away. If it's not inviting to read then the content doesn't matter. She said it should be balanced, even, and generally appealing.

As far as content, avoid cliches, acronyms, and abbreviations. Don't be afraid to have a couple people proof it. Read it out loud. Read each sentence independently starting with the last sentence and work to the beginning of the correspondence.

Great topic. Thanks for posting the question.

John

Charles Scarborough ⋅ New Johnsonville, TN Cargill ⋅ 1 years experience

Michael,
have to aggree with Ms. Carter. Have you thought about asking a career advisor or going outside the box and checking with a university? Thier business department might be of use to you, perhaps even look over your entire resume as a class project or teaching tool.

Loretta Carter ⋅ Sugar Land, TX HCA ⋅ 9 years experience

Hi Michael,
You have some really great suggestions to follow for the cover letter. Too often people only rattle off what they have done in past jobs. The important thing to remember is what do the companies want and need and highlight what you can do to help them. When you interview and you have the opportunity to ask questions, ask them what the biggest challenge the person who gets the position is going to face? When you are answering questions about skills, highlight the skills you have that would minimize the challenges. Be specific if possible and let them know you have the right experience. Always be prepared for the last question: Why are you the best candidate for the job? That is once again where you highlight the skills you possess that will help you be successful in the position. Good luck and I am sure you will do well. Thanks, Loretta.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

The volunteers at joblesswarrior.org might be able to help. Please provide feedback and status updates.

Rebecca Webb ⋅ Boston, MA ⋅ 1 years experience

Hi Michael,

There are some great suggestions here. Virginia Tech's Career Services has a great site for helping with the formating of cover letters based on different scenarios, i.e. email, online, etc.

http://www.career.vt.edu/jobsearchguide/coverlettersamples.html

Hope that helps!

Best,
Rebecca

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Great advice above. Another idea is formulate your "elevator pitch" , and master it in both written and spoken form. Perhaps include your "pitch" (or elements of it) in cover-letters/emails and thank you letters/emails. Customize your pitch for each firm and position. Be ready to deliver it in spoken form whenever you meet someone that might be able to help.

https://www.google.com/search?q=elevator+pitch

Helen Condell ⋅ Methuen, MA Hewlett Packard ⋅ 25 years experience

The best cover letter format that I used when I was job searching was called a T-Format. Essentially this format calls for two columns, one that extracts a few (not all) of the job posting requirements on one column, with a description of your skills that match the requirement on the other. When completed it looks like a T. You can google "T-format for cover letters and see examples.

Very effective!

Sandy Noirjean ⋅ Jericho, NY Aon ⋅ 27 years experience

I agree with the above, but believe these details should be in the thank you letter after the interview. I see you are in New York, so you understand the NY minute. In my experience, I view the cover letter as an introduction to the information I will see on the resume and don't want to read the same thing twice. Suggest a simple, I am applying for your position as "x" and have attached my resume. Welcome the opportunity to interview and provide some avaiable dates and times. if you don't hear back for an interview within in a reasonable amount of time, follow up by phone if possible. Good luck and feel free to forward over a copy of the letter for a second pair of eyes.