How To Write a Custom Cover Letter

Writing a custom cover letter takes some time. But it's an effort that's worth it, and can make a difference to your hiring prospects. By customizing your cover letter, you'll wind up with a more compelling result, clearly conveying why you're a good match for the role at hand. 

How to Customize Your Cover Letter

Follow these tips to customize your cover letter when applying for a job.

Look for the Hiring Manager

When it comes to cover letters, take the time to get personal. Find out as much as you can about the company and the hiring manager. Personalize your cover letter and, if you can, address it to the individual responsible for hiring. If need be, research online or make a phone call to find out who the hiring manager is.

Mention Who You Know

If you know someone at the company, mention their name in your cover letter. Name-dropping works—your cover letter will get a closer look if it mentions someone who works at the company. That's important both from your perspective and from the employee's, especially if the company has an Employee Referral Program and is eligible for a bonus.

As an aside, be sure to ask your contact if they can recommend you for the job and help get your cover letter and resume a closer look from the hiring manager.

Mention How You Learned About the Job

Mention how you learned about the job in the first paragraph of your cover letter. The company wants to know how the job was sourced, especially when you found the listing on a job board or other site where they paid to post. That sentence can simply say, for example, "I learned of this position from the posting I read on Monster."

Showcase Your Qualifications

Employers typically won't even consider a candidate who doesn't appear to be qualified at first glance. That first glance at your cover letter is your one opportunity to make a good impression and make it to the next round. 

To write a custom cover letter, take the job posting and list the criteria the employer is looking for. Then list the skills and experience you have. Either address how your skills match the job in paragraph form or list the criteria and your qualifications. Here's more on how to match your qualifications to a job description. 

Also take the time to showcase how your personality is a good fit for both the position and the company.

Include Skills and Results

Also include skill, results and recognition keywords in your cover letter to increase your chances of getting selected for an interview. Here's a list of skills for resumes and cover letters you can use to get suggestions for your own application materials.

This way, the hiring manager can see, at a glance, why and how you're qualified for the job. Here's how to write a cover letter in five simple steps.

Customized Cover Letter Example

This cover letter example is focused on a career change and the skills required for the advertised position in the field of sales and communications. Download the cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online). Plus, see plenty more cover letter examples to inspire you as you write your own.