Get a Cover Letter Critique in Three Easy Steps
by Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert

Did you know that a great cover letter can have as much impact as a great resume and increase your odds of landing an interview? If you're not sure your cover letter is effective, a critique can arm you with valuable information to make this essential document the best it can be.

"The benefit of a cover letter critique is to not only catch blatant errors such as spelling, grammar and formatting, but to receive feedback on how well you address the employer's needs and separate yourself from the competition," says Norine Dagliano, a certified resume writer and president of career services firm EKM Inspirations.

Follow these three steps when seeking a cover letter critique:

Step 1: Find a Cover Letter Reviewer

Sally McIntosh, chair of the Certification Commission for the Nationally Certified Resume Writer credential and owner of Advantage Resumes, suggests finding a certified resume writer who has been in business a few years to review your cover letter. She recommends searching professional association Web sites to find certified members and then checking out individual Web sites to see if the members offer free assessments or paid critiques. You can search for resume writers at these organizations:

• National Resume Writers' Association

• Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches

• Career Masters Institute

Dagliano says that a colleague or other professional with experience hiring people in your field could also be a good resource for a cover letter critique. "If you ask for free advice from someone with good proofreading and writing skills, you could receive good feedback about spelling, grammar, typos, format and content flow," she says. If you know someone who could offer valuable feedback regarding your letter, don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help. You can also visit Monster's Cover Letter Tips message board  and ask questions about how to improve your cover letter.

Step 2: Help Your Reviewer Understand Your Background

Whether you’re receiving a free or paid critique, the reviewer needs to know your employment situation to assess your letter accurately. Dagliano recommends providing the reviewer with the following:

• A copy of the job posting or details about your objective if there is no advertised position.

• A copy of your resume, since your resume and cover letter must work together to sell your qualifications.

• Information about work circumstances that might need to be explained in the letter, such as time off, relocation preferences or reasons for a career change.

Step 3: Take the Advice that Works for You

With 20 years in the business, McIntosh has reviewed her share of cover letters and knows what hiring managers are looking for. She explains how graders of the Nationally Certified Resume Writer certification exam evaluate cover letter components:

• Introduction: Is the opening paragraph strong? Does it grab the reader’s attention?

• Sales Pitch: Are the middle paragraphs compelling? Do they demonstrate the candidate’s worthiness by focusing on accomplishments and proven performance?

• Closing: Is there an assertive call to action in the closing paragraph?

• Writing Style: Is the letter concise yet persuasive? Is it error-free? Does it contain a “wow” factor?

• Relevancy: Is the letter focused on relevant skills and keywords?

• Accomplishment-Oriented: Does the letter highlight quantifiable accomplishments related to the career goal?

• Employer-Focused: Does the letter focus on what the candidate can do for the employer, not the other way around?

• Formatting: Is the letter appropriately formatted as a business letter?

After receiving your critique, analyze the feedback and work on the changes that will give your letter the most added impact. "If you feel overwhelmed, ask the reviewer to break the recommendations down into must-do changes that would make the letter error-free and should-do changes that would make the letter rise above the competition,” Dagliano advises. “If the professional is unwilling to do this, find another reviewer."