Writing a Knockout Cover Letter

A cover letter is basically a one-page sales pitch selling you to a company. It’s not about restating everything that’s already our resume. It’s a chance for your future employer to get a taste of your personality and goals. Always send a personalized cover letter with your resume; most companies will toss your resume if a cover letter isn't attached. Your cover letter should go a little something like this.

The first paragraph introduces who you are, what you currently do, and how you heard about the company. If you were referred by someone, you can say, “Shannon Fallon of NBC Miami suggested I contact you about the position you have open in XYZ.”

The second paragraph describes what you have to offer the company, based on your key skills and experience but keep it interesting. Remember your resume will spell out exactly what you do.

The third paragraph explains the action you’re going to take like, follow up with a phone call ina week. Lastly, always thank them for their time and consideration. The best ways to close would be “Sincerely,” or “Best regards.”

Another great reference for cover letters is going to your local universities career center. There you can find great resources, have your letter critiqued and proofread and get tips on how to better your letter.

A Personal Touch

Technology is great, it’s something that has become integrated into our daily lives, but it leaves people increasingly disconnected. There once was a time when personalized letters were the only form of communication between friends, lovers and family.

For my 22nd birthday, my mother gave me the greatest gift, a box of old love letters from my father. It inspired me to bring that tradition back, not only in my personal life, but as well as in my professional life.

When you write someone a letter you show that you care. It shows them they’re worth your time. Your able to share your ideas, your innermost thoughts, things that have been going on in your life, and more. It is much more intimate than an email or a text.


Letters and notes also help develop vocabulary and expressive language. It isn’t uncommon to write better than one speaks. Technology has, unfortunately, become written speech; we now write fragments and do not use proper grammar or punctuation. Letter writing is a way to
put proper language skills into practice.

Personalized stationary allows the writer to express themselves not only with their writing but with their choice in stationary.

I have special corporate station with my companies’ logo that I often send out to clients and partners thanking them for their help or business. I also have fun more feminine stationary I use to send to friends to just say hello or to congratulating them on a promotion or just for being a great friend. I love sending old fashioned post cards, or even taking a photograph and using it as a postcard.

You can get personalized stationary almost anywhere they sell greeting cards. However some of my favorite stationary comes from Etsy. It’s all handmade by real people and it’s unique and allows for a lot of expression.

Get your own stationary and write someone a note. You're sure to always get a smile out of them.