Contrary to what you may be hearing, ALWAYS send a cover letter.  It is considered disrespectful and poor business etiquette to neglect to send a cover letter.

In a recent study, 75% of employers said that they do review cover letters that are addressed specifically to them and relate to the job and company.

An important part of getting your cover letter read is making it specific for each job, addressing it to the specific hiring manager, making your contact information easily accessible, and providing short, concise information that illustrates that your qualifications meet or surpass the requirements of the job.

One way you can grab the attention of an employer is with a cover letter format that is professional, but slightly different than the norm. If your experience is very close to the requirements of the job, a great option to make your application stand out is the T-Letter.

What is a T or Split Cover Letter?

The T cover letter gets its name from the imaginary T that is formed by the two columns in the middle of the single page letter (using Microsoft Word’s table feature). The left column is the list of requirements as outlined by the hiring company and the second column is the qualifications you have that match the requirements.

It is a great way to get an interview because it leaves no question that you are qualified for the position.

How to Prepare a T Cover Letter?

• Begin your T-Letter as you would any other cover letter. If you networked mention the person who told you about the position or recommended you. Using the name of a referring person greatly increases your chances of securing an interview.

• Produce an initial paragraph that tells the reader the position you are writing about and who you are. Make sure to lead into the list you created. Begin your T-Letter as you would any other cover letter. If you networked mention the Person who told you about the position or recommended you. Produce an initial paragraph that tells the reader the position you are writing about and who you are. Make sure to lead into the list you created.

• Develop a list of requirements from job postings, advertisements, or job descriptions.

• Create a list that matches your skills to listed requirements.

• Be specific, brief, and make sure you use relevant examples.

• Use bullets in each column and make sure that what you offer in column two is aligned to column one.

• Make words that you want to stand out in bold - employers will only spend 8 - 30 seconds initially.

• If you have more qualifications for a particular requirement, you may have white space on the left before the next bullet.

• In the final paragraph express your interest, belief that you are a great fit, and ask for an interview.  Consider stating that you will follow up in a few days to see if they have any questions.

• Keep the T-letter to 1 page.

• Put the letter at the top of your resume file unless advised otherwise.

• You can also prepare and adapt T letters that do not respond to specific job postings by heading the first column with You May Need or You May Require and the second column with I Offer or My Experience and Accomplishments.

• Send your T-Letter with your resume in one file as an attachment, give it to someone you know to deliver it to the hiring manager, mail it, or take it with you in a large 9X12 white envelope to an interview.