Want the Job? Here's How to Write a Cover Letter

Read the job description

If you have one cover letter that you send out for every opportunity, you probably won't seem like a fit for anything that comes your way. If you have experience that might make you a good fit for the opportunity at hand, focus on that. Better yet, explain how you've solved problems in the past that are relevant to the requirements of the position you seek.

To whom it may concern

I'm concerned already. If specific names appear in the job description and you address your cover letter in a generic fashion, you have already proven that you don't pay attention to details.

Do some research

If the name of the company is listed, spend some time doing your research and share some information about your impressions and mostly, how your particular skills might enhance that organization's mission.

It's not about you

This is a tricky one. You want to promote yourself and your skills but the most important thing is to show your true self, not to say the things you think an employer needs to hear.

Get rid of the jargon

If you want to work at a startup, cut to the chase. We don't have time to sift through the jargon. We spend a huge amount of time with our clients trying to help them simplify and remove corporate-sounding jargon from their strategic plans and communications. The last person we'd hire is one who shows remarkable aptitude for mimicking language that we believe should be eradicated from professional settings.

Your future

Any cover letter that refers to the job at hand as a stepping stone in your future illustrious career is going to get immediately rejected. Your future career unfolds in every way, every day. Skills develop in the most unexpected ways. I put myself through college with scholarships, working in the dean's office and waiting tables. The service industry is a fantastic way to learn how to understand people and customer service. I use these skills every day now.

Your future career is largely dependent on the choices you make today, including your ability to hustle no matter the task, and above all, to improvise and have a great attitude in the face of unexpected circumstances, which come up all the time at a startup.

Include your contact information

This one requires no further information.

Are you really the ideal candidate?

If your letter starts off with an assertion that you're the ideal candidate and then your list of reasons has absolutely nothing to do with the job for which you're applying, you're finished before you start. To me, the ideal candidate is one who can prioritize, be a self-starter, work equally well alone or in a team setting, and learn, learn, learn. The world moves fast. What you know today is the building block for what you're going to learn tomorrow. Include some context about your story. Who are you as a person?

The most employable characteristics

How well can you adjust to a fast-paced, changing environment when you're expected to prioritize details and see the big picture at the same time? How buoyant do you remain when your assumptions are challenged? Are you able to thrive without being micro-managed? Are you able to stay focused on your tasks? Are you able to look around and see what needs to get done? Can you spot opportunities and tackle challenges?

If you can prove that you have these abilities, you're destined for professional stardom in any field!