Here's how you can revolutionize cover letter writing during a job search.

You can customize your cover letter for each job application by either using a T-style cover letter or adding a T-style table within your paragraph-style cover letter. On the left side of the T are the job requirements with the exact verbiage from the job description. On the right side of the T, you include how you match each requirement using your own verbiage. Use bullet points to make them short and sweet. You are handing yourself to the employer on a silver platter and writing with concise, skimmable, and scannable verbiage. Woo hoo! Matchy matchy for the win! 🥳

Tailoring your cover letter with precision goes beyond superficial changes—it's a meticulous process of researching the company culture, dissecting the role's demands, and introspecting on how your background aligns with their requirements. Armed with this insight, craft a narrative showcasing your aptitude for the position and illustrating your grasp of the company's values. This level of personalization not only distinguishes your application from generic submissions but also signals to potential employers your genuine interest and commitment, significantly boosting your chances of standing out in a competitive job market.

Revolutionize cover letter writing during a job search by personalizing each letter to the specific company and role, showcasing your unique skills and experiences, and highlighting how you can add value to the organization.

You can tell a story in just one sentence by employing the PAR (Problem, Action, Result) formula. For example, here's how you can highlight problem-solving skills using storytelling: "When my team struggled to deliver the project on time, I analyzed the workflow to find the root cause of the delay and re-assigned the roles within the team to facilitate smooth project completion within the deadline."

One of the fastest ways to land that next interview is to create a memorable impression with the recruiter. Do this by sharing success stories or impact stories -- around your top skills (that also happen to be requirements of the position). Consider using the STAR or SAR framework which includes describing the Situation, Action you took, and Result. Make it that more memorable by LEADING with the result, also known as the R-STAR method. You've got this jobseeker! #LetsGetYouHired

Keep your cover letter concise by getting straight to the point. Instead of repeating what's on your resume, use this opportunity to highlight specific accomplishments that directly relate to the job you're applying for. By doing so, you demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and efficiently, showing respect for the reader's time. This focused approach not only makes your cover letter more impactful but also increases your chances of leaving a lasting impression on potential employers.

Keeping your cover letter concise and direct is a smart strategy. However, in today's job market you never know if your cover letter will even get looked at. For this reason, I advise AGAINST including important information in your cover letter that ISN'T in your resume. So while a copy/paste job from your resume to the cover letter isn't the answer, you can extract a few key impressive contributions or achievements from your resume and highlight them in your cover letter.

I often get asked if cover letters are "worth the time" and ultimately it's a toss up on if they will get read or if they even matter to the recruiter/hiring manager. When I was a hiring manager, I did appreciate cover letters because I felt like they showed an additional layer of effort whereas I have friends in recruiting that have told me they don't read cover letters at all. Since you don't know who you're dealing with on the other side of a hiring process, I think it's always worthwhile to include one but it shouldn't be taking up too much of your time. You can have a solid template and personalize by role, including a "why this company" paragraph early on in your cover letter if you are passionate about the role.

Avoid AI to write your marketing materials. People are attracted to human connection. Leading hiring professionals do not use the cover letter to determine whether they will interview or hire a candidate. Keep in simple, genuine and authentic.