Write a winning cover letter in less than 10 sentences

Writing the perfect cover letter is no easy task. You spend hours hunched over your laptop, trying to get the sentence structures right, but still, the cover letter does not feel good at all. What if we told you that you could?write a winning cover letter ?in less than 10 sentences?

The best kinds of cover letters are the ones that are short and easy to skim. Hiring managers don’t have all day to read three-page cover letters.?Keeping your cover letter short ?while being informative is the best way to get noticed. Here’s how you are going to do it:

Spend 1–2 sentences on the introduction

Start your cover letter by introducing yourself. Mention what you are currently doing and express your interest in the position. It is great to?mention a referral in your cover letter ?if you have one. Here’s an example:

“I would like to submit my application for the position of project manager at XYZ. Jane Doe, your business analyst, who was my direct supervisor at my previous job, suggested that I would be a perfect fit for this role with my 8 years of experience in construction project management.”

Use 2–3 sentences to describe your career highlights

When selecting?professional achievements to highlight on your cover letter , refer to the type of experience demanded by the employer in the job description. Ask the question, “What are the top two assets I have that would make me a great candidate for this job?” before selecting the career highlights you want to add to your?cover letter . Here’s an example:

“I have trained over 30 assistant project managers in my career on the use of ABC software to plan and schedule projects. With my experience handling 10+ construction projects a year, summing above $100M, I would be a valuable addition to your organization.”

Leave out 1–2 sentences for a company focus

Show the employer exactly why you want to work with them. What are some of their business values that resonate with your personal values? What attracted you to the company in the first place? How well do you think you fit in with the company culture? Here’s an example:

“I have always been fascinated by the cutting-edge technology used by XYZ to ensure the safety of the construction crews. My OSHA training and tech experience fit perfectly with your vision to ensure better working conditions for all personnel.”

Finish up with a conclusion in 1–2 sentences

When you finish your cover letter , remember to thank the hiring manager and add a call to action. It is usual practice to ask for an interview in the last paragraph of your cover letter. Here is an example:

“Do consider my resume and schedule an interview to discuss this opportunity further. Thank you so much for your time!”