I get it. Cover letters are the worst. You feel like you have to strike the perfect balance between humbly presenting yourself AND recounting every single one of your professional accomplishments and accolades. Oof.

Honestly, with some time and practice, you will become more and more comfortable with drafting cover letters. They’ll flow naturally, and the task of writing a new one will feel less daunting. 

However, even the most experienced cover letter writers often make a crucial mistake. They spend too much time explaining to the employer what the employer does. In most cases, a cover letter should be no longer than one page. Imagine you spend several sentences describing what the organization’s mission is; you have used up valuable space that could have been used to build your case for being the ideal candidate. Instead you told them no new information…you told them what THEY do! What’s more is that this is usually in the first paragraph — exactly where you would want to catch the reader’s attention.

[Example: I write to submit my application for the Director of Operations role at Organization A. Organization A does crucial work in assisting the homeless community by providing it with housing, job training, and transportation. Organization A serves as an exemplar to those in the sector and has been the recipient of numerous local and state awards. It would be an honor to work at an organization like this.]

I have seen this happen hundreds of times, but, luckily, there’s an easy fix! Instead of repeating back what the employer does, explain how its work resonates with you, through your values and professional experience. Give special attention to demonstrating how exactly your background uniquely qualifies you for the position.

[Example: I write to submit my application for the Director of Operations role at Organization A. I have significant experience working with the unhoused community, and Organization A’s mission and unique holistic approach resonates with me and my own beliefs about how best to serve individuals who are homeless. I believe that my time leading programs in the nonprofit sector has positioned me well to lead the operations of a large organization that is committed to excellence and providing much needed services to the community. It would be an honor to have the opportunity to further this important mission.]

Instead of repeating back what the employer does, explain how its work resonates with you, through your values and professional experience. Give special attention to demonstrating how exactly your background uniquely qualifies you for the position.

Just a small change, in 1-2 sentences, makes the reader more invested. Everything that follows will further support this idea. Thanks to including these details early on, readers are already well on their way to believing that you’re a fit!