Tips For Getting and Nailing an Interview: Writing a Cover Letter

There are some do's and don'ts of excelling in an interview. Over the years I have gotten most of the jobs I have interviewed for, well except for that one in college I was severely hungover for, clearly didn't get that one. I also used to conduct interviews on a weekly basis for my job back in Tennessee, so I know what that person interviewing you is looking for! So here I am today with the first post in a three-post series: Tips for getting and nailing an interview. 

Be sure to Customize Your Cover Letter For The Position! 

1. If you are applying via Linked In, you can see who posted the position. USE that person's name and title. This is not the place to be lazy. Sunday morning after Fireball is the place to be lazy, not job searching. If you are using Monster or Indeed, go to the company's website and see if you can find the name of a hiring manager in the human resource department. Address it to someone so you avoid the dreaded 'To whom it may concern...'

2. Spoiler- every single cover letter I sent out when applying for jobs before I moved to Dallas had this same paragraph. They all were my perfect hybird blah blah blah positions. But I changed the name of the position each time and tailored that last sentence based on if it was a social media position, graphic design, marketing etc.

3. Get your brag on. Make the most out of the experience that you do have. I was able to turn one job into two. I worked for Fusion as an Area Sales Manager then moved to Marketing Director. It was the same company, but easily two different positions on a resume. Use these two paragraphs for numbers, accomplishments, duties, awards.... anything bragging about yourself!

4. Don't be a robot! You are a person right? You have a life outside of work right? Companies want to hire well rounded individuals. Tell a bit about yourself and what you like to do in your spare time. Obviously, don't talk about getting drunk and hooking up in clubs. Talk about playing in sports leagues, talk about blogging, talk about sorority offices you held in college, talk about reading, writing and arithmetic.

5. Close and thank them for your time. Most importantly, be honest. I wasn't living in Dallas at the time. I wanted them to know that I would need to relocate and need time before I could move.I was applying for social media and graphic design positions. I had work on the internet I was proud of so I directed them to that work!

What tips for crafting your cover letter would you add?

For the second post in this series go here!