Your Cover Letter Isn’t About You

A common misconception is that a cover letter should be all about you, but that’s not the case. It is a marketing tool to sell your skills to the employer by showing how you meet their needs. If you treat it like an autobiography, you might wonder why you’re not getting any responses.

Here’s the formula I use when I professionally write for clients:

1. Analyze the Job Description
2. Identify What to Include
3. Explain Why You Want to Work There
4. Write the Cover Letter

Now, let’s break down each step in greater detail.

Analyzing the Job Description

Always write a cover letter from scratch. Applying to five relevant positions with tailored cover letters is better than applying to 50 without any research.

Start by carefully analyzing the job description. It typically has two key parts:

• What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)
• What the Company is Looking For (Qualifications)

To tailor your cover letter to different industries, first look at industry-specific keywords and phrases. Each industry has its own jargon, challenges, and priorities. For example, marketing roles may emphasize creativity and campaign execution, while software engineering positions will focus on technical expertise and problem-solving. Research the language specific to each industry and reflect that in your cover letter.

Example: For a healthcare position, use industry-specific terminology like "patient outcomes," "regulatory compliance," or "clinical data management." For tech, you might focus on "software development," "Agile methodologies," or "cloud computing."

Once you understand the role, highlight how your skills match what the company is asking for.

Identifying What to Include

Once you've analyzed the job description, create a table with two columns:

• Left column: List the qualifications and responsibilities from the job description.
• Right column: Match them with your experiences.

This method helps you align your qualifications directly with what the company is looking for.

You might be asking yourself, how do I choose which skills and experiences to highlight if the job description lists so many requirements?

The key is prioritization.

Focus on the top two or three responsibilities or qualifications that the job description emphasizes the most. Employers often list the most important skills first, so these should take priority in your cover letter. If you can, choose the ones that demonstrate your strongest accomplishments and will make you stand out from other candidates.

Example: If the job posting emphasizes leadership and project management, focus on experiences where you led a team or managed a project from start to finish. Use quantifiable achievements—like "managed a $1M budget" or "led a team of 15 to deliver a project two weeks ahead of schedule."

Remember, you don’t have to meet every qualification. Highlight the most relevant ones that you excel at, and don't worry about the rest..

Why Do You Want to Work Here?

Once you’ve shown that you’re a great fit, explain why you want to work at the company. This isn’t about you; it’s about what excites you about the company’s mission, culture, or goals.

Pro Tip: Start by researching the company. What’s their mission? What makes them unique in the industry? Are there any recent projects or news that caught your attention?

Example: "I’m particularly drawn to your focus on sustainability. Having led green initiatives in my previous role, I am excited about your commitment to reducing environmental impact in the tech industry."

This demonstrates that you've done your homework and have a genuine interest in contributing to their success.

Writing the Cover Letter

Here’s the format to follow:

Introduction: Who you are, what you want, and what you believe in

Start by introducing yourself and summarizing why you're a strong candidate. Avoid generic statements. Instead, focus on what you bring and why it aligns with the company’s needs.

Example: "As a project manager with five years of experience in software development, I have led cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact projects, contributing to revenue growth by 15% last year."

Transition

Link your introduction to the first skill or experience that matches the job requirements.

Example: "I believe my ability to lead teams while managing client expectations makes me a great fit for your project manager role at [Company Name]."

Skill & Qualification Match

Go back to your table from step 2. Choose two of the most critical skills from the job description and demonstrate how your experience matches them.

Example:

• “Led a team of 10 in an Agile environment to deliver key software updates ahead of schedule.”
• "Worked directly with clients to gather requirements, ensuring all project milestones were met."

Why Do You Want to Work There?

Here, use the research you did earlier.

Example: "Your commitment to fostering innovation through AI solutions excites me, and I’m particularly impressed by your recent product launch, which aligns with my passion for cutting-edge technology."

Conclusion

Close by reaffirming your interest and summarizing what you bring to the table.

Example: "I’m confident that my background in project management and my enthusiasm for driving innovation would make me a valuable addition to your team. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your company’s goals."

Putting It All Together

By focusing on how you can meet the company’s needs and not just recounting your work history, your cover letter will become a great marketing tool that stands out.

Here are some quick points to differentiate a weak cover letter from a strong one:

• Weak: "I am applying for the role of Project Manager because I have a degree in project management."
• Strong: "I am excited to apply for the Project Manager role at [Company]. My recent experience leading a cross-functional team to implement a new software solution, which resulted in a 20% increase in efficiency, directly aligns with your focus on process improvement."

Using strong, specific action verbs like "led," "improved," or "implemented" will make your letter more compelling.

Wrapping Up

Remember, your cover letter is more than just a summary of your qualifications—it's your opportunity to market yourself in a way that connects directly with the company's needs and values.

By tailoring your message to each industry, prioritizing the skills that match the role, and showing genuine interest in the company's mission, you position yourself as the ideal candidate. The goal is to demonstrate how you can solve their problems and add value, not just list your achievements.

Take the time to personalize each letter if you plan to write one, and you’ll see stronger results in your job search.