Below are a few Bright Green Talent recommendations for how to make the most of your
cover letter:
1. Have a voice and a story. Your cover letter is a chance to present yourself as
compelling; don't waste that opportunity. Don't start a cover letter with "Dear Sir/Madam;"
find the hiring manager's name. Try to read the level of formality at the company, and
where appropriate, use more familiar language that will help the reader connect with you on
a personal level.
2. Show, don't tell, that you can get the job done. In your cover letter (and resume
and interviews), use specific examples of successfully performing tasks that you'd have to
do in the new role. Use statistics, awards, concrete achievements, and real hard facts.
3. Be specific! Nothing makes a hiring manager pass over an application more quickly than
an obvious lack of effort. Make sure the cover letter is personalized for that particular job -
you should be matching your main selling points to the needs and requirements that are
listed in the job description.
Last, and most importantly, be yourself -- it's too often forgotten that people hire other
people because they like them.
Do you have a question for our green jobs expert? Email us here!
As Managing Partner at Bright Green Talent, Nick combines his passions for the environment, social enterprise, and people into a daily commitment to green the US workforce.
