Clients always ask me if they need a cover letter for every job. The simple answer is no. So, how do you know?

Here are 3 situations that always warrant a cover letter.

There are three situations that always warrant a cover letter.

• Dream jobs, dream companies, any role that meets both your values and skills targets.
• Roles where you have something to say. Ways you’ve interacted with brand, directly transferable and quantified examples, even a relevant anecdote.
• Referrals! Add a note referencing your referral in the cover letter.

What is the purpose of a cover letter?

Your cover letter is your opportunity to showcase your value proposition. Don’t torture yourself – keep it short, sweet, impactful, and targeted.

Using my rating method to rank jobs, all your “A” jobs deserve a cover letter. Take the time to determine why you’re a great fit (hint, it’s not just because you want the job) and express that clearly in your cover letter.

Writing a cover letter for an “A” job helps you showcase your interest. They also help you highlight broad transferable skills for these high-value opportunities.

By going out of your way to identify a hiring manager (and their email) and sending it directly, you’ll make an even stronger first impression.

How should I write my cover letter?

Here’s a structure that I use for my clients.

Dear (Insert Name): Remove this line if you don’t know the contact person’s name.

A strategic thinker who excels at gathering and analyzing data to problem-solve and make decisions, I have always gravitated towards math as the language of science, cultivating a unique combination of technical skills, high-level math abilities, and diverse experience.

Currently, as a Title at Company Name, experience includes tax preparation and planning for increasingly complex entity types, often for multiple clients currently, to deliver returns and guidance in line with federal/state guidelines in multiple states. Highlights include:

• Rental/investment returns for properties valued upwards of $1.5M.
• Partnership returns and guidance yielding long-term EBITDA gains, over 5bps YoY.
• Advising clients on proactive strategies to reduce liabilities by upwards of 10%.

In my spare time, I am always learning and trying new things; I’ve recently begun day trading and have immersed myself in learning everything there is to know about blockchain and cryptocurrencies. My hope is to join a firm like ABC Advisors where that love of learning is at the heart of the culture.

Thanks so much in advance for your consideration. I look forward to connecting and will plan to follow up soon.

Regards,

Rebecca Henninger

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C: 973.270.1777
E: Rebecca@thejobgirl.com

What do hiring managers look for in cover letters?

When writing your cover letter, it’s critical to remember that you are curating the most relevant achievements from your experience. It’s not intended to regurgitate your resume. Instead, your cover letter should serve as the Cliff Notes version or social media post style highlight reel. Your goal is to entice, engage, and convert.

It’s also important to note that very often your cover letter will be read only AFTER someone has skimmed your resume and identified a potential match, so think through how your cover letter could serve as a close-the-deal type piece to influence an interview invite, as well as a hook to get the hiring manager to open your resume.