DAY 1: Make a single draft

If you are looking for a job, chances are, you have a lot of target companies to apply to. Before you head off and drop off your application details to any of these companies, you will have to make single draft from which all your other cover letters for these companies will be anchored.

The draft is very flexible. You may liken it to a template, but the difference is that it is a template suited just for you, your experiences, your abilities and your personality. Make yourself stand out as well as possible.

Now what will your single draft contain? This will contain a paragraph with an introduction of yourself, some of your skills and your desire to be interviewed in the P.S. line of the letter. Also, make brief note that you will be including your resume with your cover letter and where you can be easily reached.

DAY 2: Select your targets and categorize them

Who are your targets? They are the companies you are going to apply in. More specifically, you will have to do your homework and know the key person you need to address your cover letter to. This is a big plus for your cover letter. The companies assign few people to sift through applications, and this simple courtesy that you acknowledge their individual names for your cover letter will speak volumes about you in a good way. Also, if you are presented with various job opportunities, it will help you to flag them accordingly. Categorize them into high priority, medium priority and low priority. Give all of them your best but provide more consistent follow ups with those in your high priority and medium priority category.

These targets needs to be researched well. Take the time to know each of your targets properly, and if possible, the pet peeves of the people who will be tasked to review your application. If you have friends working in your target companies, take the opportunity to ask as much as you can so that you will be able to adjust your cover letter accordingly. The more information you have, the better.

DAY 3: Customize the single draft to fit your target’s needs

The single draft that you previously did in day one is now going to be put to good use. If you distinctly recall your targets and how you classified them in Day 2, start constructing individual cover letters for each of them. Use your single draft as your base for making your cover letter. Then, modify your draft and customize it accordingly with each of your targets.

Give your draft certain add-ons that will make it more viable for each of your targets. In a way, you will have to do some research on each of your targets to be able to do this effectively. The single draft you made contains the general things that companies will require of you. But the thing which will land you the job are the modifications you will put that will make that draft suited to the needs of each specific target. Adjust accordingly and if you are feeling more creative, feel free to deviate from your initial sample and do something completely different if the company calls for it.

Image taken on 2009-09-30 00:00:38. Image Source. (Used with permission)