General Cover Letters Vs. Specific Cover Letters

When job-hunting it is quite common that a job seeker will apply to more than one company and position. However, sometimes a person is looking to transition into one specific career or desired organization. If you are looking to send out your resume more than once, it may be a good idea to develop a more general cover letter. Ultimately it saves time and allows you to perform only minor tweaking. A generic letter is also beneficial if you are applying to a wide array of positions that do not relate to one another.

When crafting a nonspecific cover letter you must make sure that you really highlight your education, qualifications, broad base of knowledge, and versatile skill sets. Since you are unable to draw on specific philosophies or goals of the company/organization/school district, you cannot play on their unique needs. However, all employers are looking for these same key traits:

• Ability to work well with others, as well as independently and unsupervised.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Talent for staying organized, focused, and on-track.

• Solid problem solving and critical- or higher-level thinking skills.
In your generic cover letter highlight these traits and communicate how they will make you an asset to the hiring organization. If you do not possess any of these qualities/skills, do not include them in your letter. Make sure that you are always able to back up what you put down on paper. The employer will determine during the interview whether or not you actually have these qualities, and can always check with your references. Always remain honest in any of your job-seeking documents. In addition to the traits listed above, list the various positions you have held in the past, and draw on skills, experiences, and achievements you can bring to future positions.

If you are writing a cover letter for a specific position and organization, make sure that you take a close look at their job posting, and demonstrate how you meet their particular requirements and are able to carry out the listed responsibilities. If the company/organization/school district’s philosophy is not stated on their advertisement, do some research and find out what it is. Explain how you are able to help the organization meet set goals and standards. In addition, demonstrate your commitment to the company and enthusiasm for obtaining that position and working with them.

Also include any relevant accomplishments that a potential employer might see as beneficial for his/her company. For example, if you are applying to a position in sales you may include points that look like this (bulleting items is a quick, attention-grabbing method for conveying key information):

• Located new international markets and forged strong alliances with budding investors to grow sales by 25%, resulting in a net gain of $1.5 million over the course of three years.

• Developed new contracts that satisfied both the vendor and X company; slashed shipping and handling costs by 20%.

• Collaborated with Research and Development department to devise a stronger, but more cost-effective material; cut inventory costs by 15%.