A professional cover letter should follow a standard format and typically includes: • Your contact information and the date • The employer's contact information • A professional greeting • An engaging opening paragraph • 1-2 body paragraphs highlighting relevant experience • A closing paragraph with a call to action • A professional sign-off Keep your cover letter to one page, using a professional font and 1-inch margins.

The opening paragraph of your cover letter should grab the reader's attention and clearly state the position you're applying for. Consider these approaches: • Reference a mutual connection (if you have one) • Show enthusiasm for the company or role • Highlight your most impressive accomplishment relevant to the position • Share what excites you about the opportunity Avoid generic openings like "I'm writing to apply for..." Instead, show why you're specifically interested in this role and company.

The body of your cover letter should showcase your qualifications by highlighting specific achievements that demonstrate your value. Follow these guidelines: • Focus on 2-3 key achievements that relate directly to the job requirements • Use specific examples and metrics to quantify your impact (e.g., "increased sales by 25%") • Match your skills to the job description's requirements • Show how your experience and skills will benefit the company • Avoid simply repeating information from your resume Use action verbs and concrete examples to make your accomplishments stand out.

Your closing paragraph should: • Express enthusiasm for the opportunity to interview • Include a clear call to action • Thank the reader for their consideration • Emphasize once more how you can add value to the organization End with a professional sign-off such as "Sincerely" or "Best Regards," followed by your name. If submitting a physical letter, include your signature above your typed name.

Tailoring your cover letter for each position is crucial. To effectively customize your letter: • Research the company thoroughly • Study the job description to identify key requirements • Use the company's language and mirror their values • Address the specific needs mentioned in the job posting • Customize your examples to show how you can meet their particular challenges While this requires more work, a personalized cover letter demonstrates your genuine interest and attention to detail.

Watch out for these common cover letter pitfalls: • Spelling errors and grammar mistakes • Being too generic or using templates without customization • Making it all about what you want, not what you can offer • Writing a letter that's too long (keep it to one page) • Including irrelevant information • Starting too many sentences with "I" • Rehashing your entire resume Always proofread carefully and have someone else review your cover letter before sending.