Cover Letters That Get the Call
Cover letters are one of the least favorite parts of the job searching process for most applicants. Cookie-cut cover letters will not get a second glance, and writing a specific letter for each position is time-consuming. Yet, cover letters give you the opportunity to set yourself apart from other candidates. A well-written cover letter will demonstrate to your future employers that you are willing to go the extra mile to research how your background fits their needs. Once you get some practice, writing cover letters will become second nature.
Some cover letter templates will suggest that you tell potential employers how you found out about the position and why you are interested. The truth is, employers do not care much about this. Employers are looking for the person who will solve their problems. The purpose of a cover letter is to convince your employers that you have the ability to meet their needs, and you are willing to go the extra mile to do so.
Let's begin with the salutation. Which letter would you be more inclined to read if you were hiring manager: One that begins with "Dear Sir or Madam" or "Dear Dr. (Your Last Name)? An applicant who puts your name on top has demonstrated that they have done the research to find out who the hiring manager was. This is not always possible, particularly in the case of Internet job ads, but as an applicant it is a good idea to find out who would be hiring you and what their background is.
Second, you need an eye-catching introductory paragraph. Good ways to start your letter include referrals (e.g. "I got your contact information from XYZ, who suggested that I contact you because"), or references (e.g. "I read your article about" or "I saw your presentation about", or "I know your organization is looking to grow in the field of XYZ, and with my experience in X I can make significant contribution to your university/company.")
Next, you need to research the organization and find out more about their areas of growth and how you would fit in. Thus, the bulk of the cover letter should consist of "Here is what I can do for you." For example, "I know you are looking for someone with mass spectrometry experience, and I have X years working with this technology. Specifically, I optimized the protocols for X., and I was able to decrease the analysis time by half. I also published several peer-reviewed papers in the following journals" Of course you need to insert your own experience, but you need to give very specific examples that will catch the hiring-manager's eyes. This section should be at least two paragraphs, with examples from your research experience, and leadership/teaching roles.
Finally, give them a way to get in touch with you, such as email and phone number. If they do not call you back, follow-up with an email, or even a phone call. This way
Wishing you the best,
Dora Farkas, PhD, Founder, PhDNet
Author: "The Smart Way To Your PhD:200 Secrets From 100 Graduates."
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