7 Steps to Write a
Cover Letter
that Beats the Competition

If you want to write a cover letter for your resume that gets results, it's important to understand what a cover letter is. It’s a sales letter.

When you write a cover letter you are writing a sales letter to a potential employer or recruiter. You make your first sale if they put you in the possible pile and not in the rejection pile. I’ve recruited and hired salespeople for years and believe me this is a critical point in the selling process for the desired job.

Let’s take a look at 7 steps that will enable you to write a cover letter that makes that critical first sale.

Step #1 - Address it to the right person - Take the extra time to get the hiring decision maker’s name, title, company name, and correct spelling. This immediately separates you from the mass mailing cover letter/ resume pack. It says you are interested in this specific job and company enough to get the important details right.

Step #2 - Use the famous K.I.S.S. method to write a cover letter - K.I.S.S. means “keep it short & simple.”

By "short" I mean about a half a page or less. When I have a small or large stack of cover letters and resumes to look at, what I do is start scanning them. I’ve noticed the shorter the cover letter the more I tend to read. The longer the cover letter the more I tend to skip.

By "simple" I mean write a cover letter in your own words. It should sound real like you and not like something out of a business text book. And whatever you do don’t have your spouse, English major friend or relative write it for you. Having them review it for spelling or grammar mistakes is fine, but it needs to be in your own words.

Step #3 - Focus on your main selling points - Emphasize your experience and strengths that best match their requested needs and wants. In other words customize it as much a possible to the sales job opening. If you write the key items in bullet points in your cover letter, you just increased the chances of them being read.

Step #4 - Don’t exaggerate - Every word of your cover letter and resume must pass the full truth and honesty test. Don’t start your sales career down the road of the slimy lying salesperson. Also, that is usually the very low sales and low income approach. Enough said.

Step #5 - Proof it - Make sure you don’t have spelling or typing errors. That says to the potential employer you didn’t take the time to do it right. And have someone else you trust proof it after you.

Step #6 - The critical close - Close the cover letter by asking for the sale – the interview – and giving them a benefit. One example might be:

“I would like the opportunity to meet you in person and share with you how I increased my sales last year by 28%. I’ll follow up with you next week."

Remember you are not being too pushy. Good salespeople ask for the sale and follow up with prospects. Be sure to show them you’re a good salesperson and make that follow up call or calls.

Step #7 - Re read it later - After you write a cover letter put it aside for a couple hours or even a day. Then read it again. This is an effective way to give your cover letter that extra degree of polish and effectiveness. Reading it out loud is another effective proofing secret.

There you have it. Seven steps to write a cover that beats the competition. It is also a good idea to have a sales cover letter example as a guide. If you're relocating check out relocation cover letter. Follow these steps and you can gain that winning advantage.

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