Cover Letter is YOU -- on Paper

Think of your cover letter as you, on paper — so you want to look your best and present a neat, professional package to your prospective employer, advises Elizabeth Freedman in her article for Quint Careers, Cover Letters That Count. For starters, choose a quality paper (such as the kind used for resumes) in a conservative color (like white or ivory) to send your message, and make sure you use the same paper and font for your cover letter, resume, and envelope, since they are typically packaged together. Save the pink paper and funky font for another time, and watch smudges, crinkles, and other sloppy marks. Finally, make sure your letter is readable. If the font is too small (nothing less than 10 points) or the letter too long (more than a page), you’ve probably alienated your audience already.