How to Add Enthusiasm to Your Cover Letter
Ever since smartphones transformed even level-headed adults into eager texters, the exclamation point has become a ubiquitous sign of enthusiasm. How's your day? "Great, so far!" Is your favorite coworker driving you nuts? "Of course!" How 'bout dinner? "I'd love to!" So when you see a job posting in which the employer expresses a wish to see enthusiasm in a cover letter, you may think, "How hard can that be?"
Drop a few exclamation points in the letter and you're as good as done. Before you give that symbol in the upper-left corner of your keyword a workout, it's smart to remember that many business professionals believe the exclamation point should be confined to texts. Call these pros purists – and they probably are – but they make a strong case for the symbol conveying a youthful exuberance that has no place in professional communication.
Whether or not you agree is beside the point; crafting a cover letter without using a single exclamation point is. You may doubt that you're up to the challenge, but believe it: You are!
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When you've set aside a full day to apply for jobs, there is little doubt that writing a cover letter to accompany each resume submission will slow you down. Even if you follow a smart strategy of having a basic letter that you tweak and personalize for each position, you will be hitting the Send button less frequently than if you were sending a resume alone.
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It may be tempting to ditch the cover letter in the interest of speed and the number of hiring managers you will reach, but it could be an automatic disqualifier if you don't send a cover letter, particularly if the employer specifically asks for one. Once you craft that basic letter, it shouldn't take long to add the personal touches that could set you head and shoulders above other candidates. When a cover letter is well done, Indeed explains it serves to:
- Introduce you to an employer – almost as if you (and all your enthusiasm) were in the same room.
- Provide a quick but compelling overview of your work experience and why you're well-suited to the position.
- Highlight your skills and personal qualities.
Put another way, a good cover letter is like a sales pitch – a way for you to "get in front of" an employer before you ever set foot in the office. When you view a cover letter as an opportunity – not a time-consuming, laborious chore – it can motivate a hiring manager to put you at the top of the interview list.
Craft One Basic Letter for Four Purposes
There are four types of professional cover letters you may want to write for your job search library:
- The application cover letter, which accompanies a resume.
- The networking cover letter, which is used to inquire about a position or ask for help in making the right connection from people in your professional network.
- The prospecting cover letter, which is sent to a company you've decided you want to work for.
- The referral cover letter, in which you apply for a position after being referred to it by a trusted friend or colleague.
Though different in purpose, the content of the letters is surprisingly similar, which ought to come as good news if you're in a hurry to land a job. Only the opening and closing paragraphs of the four letters will differ. They may also offer you the best opportunities to convey enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the body paragraphs of the letters typically remain the same or similar.
At this point, the project may seem like a puzzle, but it's a wholly manageable one when you consider that a conventional cover letter follows this format:
- An opening paragraph in which you state your purpose for writing and (you guessed it) express enthusiasm.
- A second paragraph that briefly describes your professional experience, drawing connections between what you've accomplished and the position you're applying for.
- A third paragraph that underscores your skills, personal qualities, achievements and anything else that puts you in good stead for the role.
- A closing paragraph in which you request an interview.
Look for Another Word for 'Excited' in Your Cover Letter
Before you begin to write, consider that there are several ways to express enthusiasm – an "intense sense of eager enjoyment or interest." In this context, enthusiasm means:
- Conveying your personality, which will enable you to instantly differentiate yourself from other candidates.
- Being upbeat and positive.
- Telling a brief story, known as an anecdote, when it's relevant to do so.
- Using lively words, strong verbs and highly descriptive adjectives, but being careful not to overdo it. (It also means being careful about using the word "excited" instead of "enthusiastic." Some people associate the word with being in a frenzied, hyperactive or overwrought state, none of which you want to convey.)
- Showing pride in your skills and accomplishments, and perhaps sharing an experience that says it all.
- Find My Profession
So keep your thesaurus nearby as you write your opening paragraph, but try to look for another word for "excited" in your cover letter – as in saying, "I am excited to submit my application." You can do better, according to Best Job Interview.com, so consider:
- "As a high-energy, can-do marketing professional, I believe I would be a seamless fit for the position of marketing director at ABC Company."
- "Your recent and intriguing acquisition of XYZ Company convinced me that I could guide your upcoming marketing efforts with skill and confidence – and deliver the results you deserve."
- "A mutual acquaintance – Colin Murray – suggested that I reach out to you about opportunities in the sales department since my ability to steer $12 million in business to DEF Company so closely aligns with your goals for this year."
Search for a Synonym for 'Excited' in Your Cover Letter
As you move to those all-important body paragraphs, review the job description carefully and draw links between what the company wants and what you have to offer. It may help to remember that this is your chance to spotlight, not enumerate, your qualifications. While your resume may be a justifiable object of pride, it's still probably a rote rundown of your past (as it should be). So consider whether these paragraphs would satisfy your need for enthusiasm if you were the hiring manager:
- "I have a proven track record of building, training and leading high-performing teams. The presidents of (two or three previous companies) would certainly attest to my positive attitude, my ability to strategize, and my joy in helping a company reach its financial goals."
- "As you can see from my resume, I have made a significant contribution at every company I have worked for over the last 10 years. What my resume does not convey is what led to those contributions – among them, my motivation, tenacity and enviable work ethic, all of which I believe would serve your company exceedingly well."
So far, there's not an "excited" in sight, so keep looking for another word for "excited" in your cover letter as you close it, like so:
- "I hope you can see why I have been thinking about little else but this opportunity since I saw it on Indeed. It represents an ideal match for my background and skills, which I am confident would help me contribute to ABC Company right away. Although I believe my resume speaks for itself, I would thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to speak with you about this position. I can be reached at XXX-XXX-XXXX. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon."
You may be tempted to add an exclamation point for good measure, but resist that temptation. You clearly have what it takes without it.
- Indeed: Types of Cover Letters (With Samples)
- Find My Profession: Proper Ways to Show Passion in a Cover Letter
- Best Job Interview.com: Networking Cover Letter
Mary Wroblewski earned a master's degree with high honors in communications and has worked as a reporter and editor in two Chicago newsrooms. She worked alongside a noted Chicago area nutritionist and holistic healthcare adviser whose groundbreaking work focuses on the “whole” patient rather than focusing on one ailment or problem to the exclusion of everything else. Mary writes extensively about healthy eating and healthy living topics.
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