Before you sit down to write your cover letter, take a minute to focus on why you’re doing it. The purpose of the cover letter is to provide additional information about your skills and experience and demonstrate why you’re an excellent candidate for this job.

It’s not meant to be a duplicate of the information already listed on your resume.

Think about how to show you’re a strong match for this particular hotel position, provide specific information about what you’ve accomplished, and back it up with facts. Simply saying that you’re a “hard worker and good with people” is not going to cut it. This is all about giving the hiring manager a compelling reason to invite you to interview.

The generally accepted format suggests you keep the letter short and concise, using a clear heading, proper salutation, three paragraphs, and a closing.  Here’s the breakdown of what to include:

Heading: Here’s where you list your full name, phone number, and email address. You may also want to add your LinkedIn Profile URL as well.

Salutation: It’s vital that you find the actual name of the person to whom you’re addressing this letter. “To Whom It May Concern” is outdated and will not present the competent, professional image you want. If the company has a more casual culture, you can use only the first name: Dear (first name); if the company is more formal, it makes sense to use Mr. or Ms. (full name).

First Paragraph: This is where you introduce yourself and if you have a connection within the company, drop his/her name. Your goal is to get the recruiter’s attention by briefly mentioning how your skills and experiences are a match for this position. Be enthusiastic about something particular that you’ve uncovered in your research about the company to grab his/her attention.

Second Paragraph: Here’s where you provide specific qualifications, awards, and accomplishments that directly match up with the requirements listed in the job listing. Some people like the idea of creating a table that lists 3 – 5 of the job requirements on the left and matching those with your own examples on the right. You have to show that you will satisfy specific needs that the company has. Back up your claims with facts and numbers.

Third Paragraph: It’s here where you prove that you’ll fit into the culture and are ready to contribute on Day 1. You must show the hiring manager why you want this job, not just any job. They want to hire someone who will enjoy working there and that you’re likely to stay.

A good way to do this is to start with something you know they’re working on or planning for the future. Explain why you find it so interesting. Then describe how your experience and knowledge will contribute to the success of the project.

Closing: This is your call to action. Tell the hiring manager that you look forward to meeting in person to discuss how your skills, education, and experience will contribute to the company’s goals. Be sure to say how/when you’ll follow up (and then be sure to DO IT), and sign off with “Sincerely,” (your full name).

In general, remember to also keep in mind:

• By all means, keep it short: 3 paragraphs, 350 words, max, and make the focus of your letter all about how you’ll help the company meet its goals. This letter is not about you. Demonstrate a genuine interest in the company and this particular job and how you can make a difference.
• Don’t use any abbreviations, jargon, or emoticons. Your cover letter is a professional document. You can also leave off any personal information as well as any questions about salary, vacation or benefits.
• Proofread this letter several times and have someone else look it over. Sometimes you need a pair of fresh eyes to find a typo or grammatical error that you’ve missed. Do not skip this step… you don’t want to appear lazy or careless.
• If you’re sending your cover letter and resume by email, be sure to convert it to a .pdf file so it can be opened by any computer platform. Use a standard font that matches your resume and keep the formatting simple, basic, and easy to read.