CHAPTER 5

Killer Cover Letter Examples

Observations:

See why the best cover letters get interviews. And feel free to mimic aspects of these letters that work for you. That doesn’t mean that you copy what others have done. You simply pay attention to what is most effective and creatively do something similar—or better—in your own cover letters.

Neal J. Palmer

631 Valley Road, Ridley Park, PA 19078
267-345-9090 • NJP@gmail.com

April 8, 2012

Mr. Bill Zaleski
Owner, Victory Brewing Company
420 Acorn Lane
Downingtown, PA 19335

Dear Mr. Covaleski:

First I would like to express my respect and admiration for your very successful brewery. As a fellow home brewer, I find the history of Victory Brewing particularly impressive. You and your colleague Tim Merriman were able to take a common interest and develop it into a business that has earned numerous accolades and awards.

I also share your love of brewing. Over the past several years, my father and I have been active home brewers. We grow our own hops, mill our own grains and develop our own recipes. The smell of malt and hops in a boiling brew kettle in my mind is the smell of victory.

Naturally, when I saw on your website that you were looking for an entry level brand manager, I was immediately interested. The job description states that you seek an individual who is results driven and creative with strong interpersonal and communication skills. I feel that I would be the ideal fit for this position.

Over the past three years, I have attended West Chester University pursuing a marketing degree. I have also worked 30 hours a week at Acme Markets as a Customer Service Representative (CSR). While maintaining a full course load and work schedule, I have earned a 3.2 GPA. As a CSR, I have honed my analytical and communication skills through servicing customers and fellow employees. I have been named Employee of the Month four times in the last seven months.

I also volunteer as the assistant tennis coach for Ridley High School. My experience as a coach has given me the ability to transform 30 different personalities and skill sets into one force.

My attached resume provides greater detail of the qualifications and achievements that would benefit Victory Brewing Co. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to arrange an interview at 267-345-9090. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Neal J. Palmer

CALLOUTS:

[first paragraph]

The author strategically compliments the reader, immediately commanding attention. The reader has probably never read a paragraph like this. Also, the writer begins to develop an immediate connection with the brewery owner—the author is also a brewer.

[second paragraph]

The second paragraph builds upon the chemistry of the first. The employer must love brewing; it’s what he does very successfully. The applicant is also a brewer. Perhaps most importantly of all, the author has already created a kind of bond between himself and his reader. The language is poetic, yet not over the top. The author has already virtually guaranteed himself an interview.

[body paragraphs—three through five]

The author takes a risk: he doesn’t mention the job opening until the third paragraph. However, in his case, the risk is worth taking because there is no way that the brewery owner stops reading after those killer opening paragraphs. The key to the body paragraphs is that the author creates a match between himself and the job description. He does this quite well and mentions the job description—never a bad idea. He also demonstrates that he has a strong work ethic—instead of vaguely asserting that he possesses this quality—by mentioning that he works nearly a full-time job while attending school full-time and still excelling at his studies. Also, he is clearly an exemplary employee; and he proves it rather than just stating it.

Demonstrating work ethic and work performance are particularly important here. Employers don’t want lazy people (often a criticism of millennials particularly) who don’t really care about the job. He also takes time from his busy schedule to volunteer. This is powerful. Those who care about others are far more likely to care about their job and employer. Also, coaching is leading and, again, he proves that he has an important qualification—leadership—without using the word. The language used in the final sentence here is sheer poetry.

[final paragraph]

He makes his final paragraph short and sweet. At this point, all he really has to do is ask for an interview and provide contact information. He does that and something else: he mentions that he will benefit the employer. This is important and completely different from typical cover letter. The company wants to know what you can do for them. The more you demonstrate how you can help them grow, the better.