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It is crucial that you get it right for any position, but especially one that calls for attention to detail and strong writing skills.  \nThis document outlines important format and style rules for application cover letters, and provides a template for writing a cover letter that resonates with employers and lands you an interview.  \nPage 2 | Mac’s [List](List | macslist.org)[ |](List | macslist.org)[ macslist.org](List | macslist.org)  \nFormat rules for cover letters  \nStep one is to properly structure your cover letter to make it direct and easy-to-read. Here are a few formatting rules you should follow:  \nFollow the business letter format  \nYou’re applying for a job not sending a personal letter. So make sure you structure your cover letter into a formal business letter format.  \nThis shows that you know the proper rules of business communications and that you are detail oriented.  \nNot familiar with the business letter format? Here are the elements, in order, you should include.  \n1. Your address  \n2. Today’s date  \n3. Employer’s address  \n4. Greeting (ex: “Dear Ms. Smith,”)  \n5. Body of cover letter  \n6. Closing salutation (ex: “Regards,”)  \n7. Your full name and LinkedIn URL  \nWant an example?  \nCheck out the cover letter samples on page 9.  \nPage 3 | Mac’s [List](List | macslist.org)[ |](List | macslist.org)[ macslist.org](List | macslist.org)  \nUse the hiring manager’s name  \nIn the greeting, use the last name of the hiring manager.“Dear Ms. Smith” will always work better than “Dear Recruiter” or “To Whom It May Concern.”  \nIf the hiring manager’s name isn’t included in the job posting, you’ll need to do some research to figure out who you should address the letter to. Dig around on LinkedIn and look though the staff page on the company website. Don’t be afraid to make an educated guess. Even if you target the wrong person, including a specific name shows that you’ve been doing your research on the company.  \nIf you want to play it safe, address the letter to the head of the department to which you’re applying. Or, if it’s a smaller organization, consider addressing the letter to the leader of the organization.  \nBreak up your paragraphs  \nEach paragraph should be concise and the entire body of the cover letter should be broken into short  digestible chunks.  \nStart a new paragraph when you begin a new idea or point, when your readers need a pause, or when you are ending your introduction, main points, or starting a conclusion.  \nBreaking up paragraphs isn’t just about proper grammar. It also improves readability. Readers tend to skip over big blocks of uninterrupted text. Crafting shorter paragraphs make it more likely that your cover letter actually gets read.  \nPage 4 | Mac’s [List](List | macslist.org)[ |](List | macslist.org)[ macslist.org](List | macslist.org)  \nUse bullet points  \nYou might also consider using bullet points to address one-off items that don’t require any extra explanation.  \nFor example, bullets are a great way to highlight highlevel skills or qualifications, without being trapped in a paragraph structure.  \nKeep it to a page  \nThere’s some debate about the ideal length for a resume. But it is an absolute rule that cover letters should be no longer than one page. Conciseness is a virtue!  \nInclude a link to your LinkedIn profile  \nThis is, increasingly, becoming a norm in business communitcations. Sharing the URL to you’re LinkedIn profile gives the employer easy access to your full work history.  \nPage 5 | Mac’s [List](List | macslist.org)[ |](List | macslist.org)[ macslist.org](List | macslist.org)  \nStyle rules for cover letters  \nCover letters aren’t just about structure; a killer ","cbCaicDaosDdzGyy","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaicDaosDdzGyy","pdf",2087896,"English","# Format rules for cover letters\n## Follow the business letter format\n## Use the hiring manager’s name\n## Break up your paragraphs\n## Use bullet points\n## Keep it to a page\n## Include a link to your LinkedIn profile\n# Style rules for cover letters\n## Don’t repeat your resume\n## Focus on the employer’s needs\n## Show some personality\n## Name drop","[{\"question\":\"What is the main goal of a cover letter according to this guide?\",\"answer\":\"It must make a strong first impression, be clear and easy to read, and resonate with the employer to help secure an interview.\"},{\"question\":\"Which greeting approach works best when addressing the hiring manager?\",\"answer\":\"Use the hiring manager’s last name (e.g., “Dear Ms. Smith”) and research to identify the appropriate person or department head if it isn’t listed.\"},{\"question\":\"What style mistakes does the guide warn against?\",\"answer\":\"Avoid repeating information from your resume and focus on the employer’s needs rather than making the letter entirely about you.\"}]","Simple Rules for a Winning Cover Letter - Format and Style Guide | PDF",1789283517]