Cover Letters Decoded: Live Q&A to Accelerate Your Career

A standout cover letter can be your ticket to landing the job you want – so why leave it to chance? 

Watch this on-demand webinar, “Cover Letters Decoded: Live Q&A to Accelerate Your Career” – sponsored by Northwestern University School of Professional Studies – and discover how to write cover letters with confidence and clarity.

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Learn proven cover letter tips from our experts, see effective cover letter examples, and answers to your most burning questions, including the following:

What should I include in my cover letter, and what should I leave out?

When writing an effective cover letter, include an introduction that mentions the job title you are applying for, and how you found out about the opportunity. Then, highlight two or three qualifications from the job description and note how you possess those skills. Use numbers and quantifiable achievements to back up your claims.

You might also include personal characteristics/traits that make you a good fit for the role, mention why you’re look for a new job, or point out a unique circumstance – like how you are making a career change – that you are unable to express in your resume. Don’t forget to include a call to action and your contact information.

As for what to exclude from your cover letter, do not mention weaknesses, negative experiences, or complaints about current/previous employers. Skip personal details unrelated to the job, such as hobbies, family situations, or irrelevant work experience.

How long should my cover letter be?

It’s important to be concise and clear in your cover letter, so aim for three or four paragraphs, or about half to three-quarters of a page. Don’t go longer than a page. You want to be able to grab and hold the attention of busy hiring managers but still share your key achievements and qualifications effectively.

How can I make my cover letter stand out from others?

To make your cover letter stand out, tailor it to the role for which you’re applying – identify keywords (skills, qualifications) from the job description and share how you bring those requirements to the table. You can also research the employer’s mission, values, and recent initiatives, and note how your qualifications align with them.

Other ways to stand out include grabbing the hiring manager’s attention with a strong opening, quantifying your accomplishments, telling a compelling anecdote, or addressing a specific pain point you would solve if hired.

Should I mention salary expectations in my cover letter?

It’s best to exclude your salary expectations from your cover letter, unless the employer or job posting specifically asks you to include them. If you choose to include salary expectations and they don’t meet the employer’s budget, you may be screened out early from the hiring process. Also, including salary can take the focus away from your skills and qualifications, which should be the priority in your cover letter.

What common mistakes should I avoid in a cover letter?

One of the biggest cover letter writing mistakes is rehashing your resume. Your cover letter should hit on the same themes as your resume but should not use the exact same phrasing. Other cover “don’ts” include:

• Don’t include spelling or grammar mistakes and typos – and make sure you’ve included the correct employer’s name, hiring manager name (if available), and job title.
• Don’t write more than one page.
• Don’t include professional jargon, filler language, hard-to-read sentences, or generic statements.
• Don’t use the same cover letter for every job application.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional, making a career change, or returning to the workforce, this webinar will arm you with the insights you need to on how to write a cover letter for a job.

Get even more cover letter writing tips, including advice for how to start a cover letter and how to format a cover letter, by visiting iHire’s Job Seeker Resource Center.

By registering for this webinar, you may receive follow-up marketing communications from iHire and their partners.