Elevate Your Application with 3 Cover Letter Tests

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6 min read. Updated on July 27, 2016

Jen David (TR)

Make your cover letter stand out from the rest

Your cover letter complements your resume and has no typos – so why aren't you getting any interviews? Recruiters and hiring managers can spend as little as six seconds reviewing your application. With dozens of candidates to consider, they are busy, distracted, and spread thin. Use our cover letter tests to get yours to stand out in the pile!

Cover letter faux pas

Let’s be frank. Most cover letters are not great. To start, they use the word “passionate.” A lot. They then go on to say some version of “I am dependable, driven and motivated, with great time management skills.” In short, they’re generic, full of cliches, and too focused on the candidate (the “I-me-my” syndrome).

If you think you could use cover letter help, you’re in luck. We’ve got three tests that can uncover the problems with your cover letter. These tests are based on a fantastic book Do It! Marketing by David Newman.

Cover letter test #1: The “black marker” test

Get a black marker and block out your name on the cover letter. Could it be mistaken for someone else's? Could you just cut out a different name and paste it in without anyone noticing?

Fail: The letter could have been written about anyone. For example: “I am an enthusiastic and hardworking team player.”

Pass: There is information in the letter that can only relate to you personally. For example: “I oversaw the launch of a new chocolate bar that exceeded its first year targets by 78%.”

Cover letter test #2: The “so what?” test

Look at every statement you make in your cover letter, and ask yourself one question: “So what?” Does your cover letter offer a compelling, value-based answer?

Fail: The letter doesn’t show off your value. For example: “I collaborated with colleagues in the logistics and supply chain teams.”

Pass: The letter makes it clear how you can contribute to a business. For example: “I collaborated with colleagues to develop a new goods receipt process, which led to a 20% reduction in storage costs.”

Cover letter test #3: The “prove it!” test

Steven Levitt, author of Freakonomics, cites research estimating that 50% of people lie in their application. Hiring managers assume that a good portion of resumes and cover letters in their review pile are not truthful. Do you prove any of your statements?

Fail: The letter includes vague, unprovable statements. For example: “Increased sales.”

Pass: The letter includes proof of a positive outcome. For example: “I delivered a 50% increase in sales by promoting the chocolate bars on social media, in stores, and in traditional print media.”

Fix the problems with your cover letter

Did you pass the cover letter tests? If you failed one (or more!) of the tests, let’s jump into fixing it.

Turn your cover letter into a one of a kind message

Delete the boilerplate language from your cover letter. You may have used a template, which makes it easy for you to send out 10 applications in under 2 hours, but that approach isn’t helping you to stand out.

Expert tip: Start with a fresh sheet of paper, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and imagine the human behind the hiring manager. Maybe she has a dog, hates sushi, likes to watch The Bachelor, and has a job opening she needs filled yesterday.

What would you say to her?

Highlight your strengths

Stay away from generic comments like, “I have good communication skills.” Instead, use descriptive language like, “I am an expert communicator, able to negotiate improved terms and rates with suppliers.” It’s longer, but also stronger and more specific.

Communicate who you are, what you do, and who you do it for

The scariest thing about personal branding is that it defines you – which means you are no longer a perfect fit for every opportunity. If you say you are an expert at solving IT problems for small and medium size professional service firms, you’re not quite as attractive to big corporations that sell widgets. Are you willing to make a strategic decision to let go of some opportunities in order to become the perfect candidate for your employer of choice?

Address a specific challenge that the company (or the industry) is facing

Understanding industry challenges is a fantastic way to demonstrate your expertise. How do you know what to write? Simple. Google it. Look for recent press releases, transcripts from quarterly analyst calls (if it’s a publicly traded company), and surprising industry statistics and facts.

Then, link the challenge to your skillset. Show the reader that you are ready and willing to help them solve the puzzle.

Weave in concrete examples of success

Make a list of your achievements and select a few that are relevant for this job. Your goal is to demonstrate that you did more than simply punch in and keep a chair warm from 9 to 5. Connect your achievements to value for the company.

Use testimonials and quotes from your past performance reviews

If your clients, colleagues, or bosses genuinely enjoyed working with you, or if your performance reviews have some particularly amazing commentary, you can weave those pieces into the cover letter. They serve as a confirmation of your strengths and reinforce that you are likeable, will do a great job, and will fit in with the team.

Write enough – but not too much

One of the most common cover letter questions is how long it should be. A strong cover letter is rarely more than one page long. While the exact length will vary, depending on how much experience you have, keeping the cover letter between 300 and 500 words should ensure you cover all bases without boring your reader with irrelevant waffle.

A bespoke cover letter wins interviews

In summary, generic cover letters do not work. They may be quick to generate, but they do nothing to highlight your fit, showcase your strengths, or demonstrate genuine interest in joining a specific company. If you are going to invest time and effort into an application, make the hiring manager smile with a personal, targeted, and attractive cover letter.

Is your resume on a par with your newly-improved cover letter? Find out by taking advantage of our free resume review today!

This article was originally written by Natalia Autenrieth and has been updated by Jen David.