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Most people think cover letters are designed to win over the recruiter/HR manager. This is kind of true. Others think it is supposed to serve as a summary of your skills. This is part of it. A few people think it’s about listing information that is relevant to the job. Again, they’re almost there.

Every job requirement you read is really little more than a professionally written, open ended question. That question is the same whether the job is for a CEO or a Clerk. It is the same question being asked in New York, Austin, or Hong Kong. Your cover letter exists to answer this question. If it does, then you might have a chance at getting the job. What is the million dollar question?

Are you the Right Person for this Job? Ultimately, cover letters only serve one purpose. Answer question numero uno. The format is somewhat irrelevant. The approach you take to answer the question is somewhat job specific. However, if you don’t answer this question, then your cover letter adds no value. Fortunately, there are a few easy tips to make sure your cover letter answers the question.

Custom Cover Letters: Take the time to draft as many custom copies of your cover letter as possible. If it’s worth the Hiring Managers time to read your cover letter, then it’s worth your time to write one just for that job.

Keep it Short, Sweet, and to the Point: When writing a cover letter, focus on answer only that one relevant question. Anything that isn’t focused on that singular question will make your cover letter run longer. Staying focused on the point will also let you stuff the cover letter with valuable relevant experience & references.

Tell the Truth & Sell: Your cover letter has to be honest and legitimate. Never stretch the truth. However, you are selling the hiring manager on your answer to the million dollar question. Tell the truth, but sell, sell, sell…

If you follow these quick tips, your cover letters will be better suited to answer the million dollar question; “Are you the right person for this job?”

Related posts:

1. Does Your Cover Letter Send a Mixed Message?
2. Why did I get a Job Rejection Letter?
3. Thank You Letters – When and What to Send?
4. Resume Writing Tips, Do’s and Don’ts
5. The Trick to Answering the Tricky Interview Questions