Cover letter tone: formal or friendly?
When creating cover letters, a common mistake is to use essentially the same cover letter each time. Many applicants do not change anything other than the company name. This is a bad idea and you can be sure that your generic letter is seen as such by those who read it. It’s not as difficult to spot these types of cover letters as you might think. The other common mistake is in the tone. As a general rule, formal is better. But this is not always the case, although it is safe to choose this style if you are not sure what to do. It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed, right?
I’ll assume you’ve done your homework and know enough about the job you’re looking for to be specific in your cover letter. If you don’t have that information, get it before you start writing. You can’t write a decent cover letter without details. Also, during your research, you may find a reason or reasons to skip the entire application process.
The tone of the letter will be dictated by the position you are seeking. The rule of thumb is that the more authority the position has, the more formal and specific the cover letter should be. Makes sense, don’t you think?
You want the letter to be short but complete. It is important to highlight your skills in relation to the specific job being offered and explain why you are a perfect fit for the position. Any one of your skills may seem unimportant to you in relation to the job at hand, but it could be something the company considers most important. Find a way to include anything that might help you get the job.
Of course, you will address the letter to the person conducting the interview. If you don’t know who it is, just call and ask because “To Whom It May Concern” just doesn’t cut it. Address him or her formally throughout your letter. Never shorten someone’s name unless you have permission to do so. Save the casual, friendly approach for your friends.
When writing a cover letter, you want to get your point across as briefly as possible while showing respect for the reader. The tone should always fall on the formal side, you never know how high your application might go.