I’ve read way too many cover letters that were all about the candidate. I get it; you think that the cover letter is your best chance to tailor your message and pitch yourself in a more personal way.

Resumes feel so dry and cold.

However, the point is to connect the dots between who you are and what they want. The cover letter isn’t meant to be your biographical professional story. It isn’t a chance for you to talk about what you want (e.g., “I’m seeking a growth opportunity…”.

It is meant to be a selling tool.

The only goal is to convince them to contact you. You want to be moved into the next phase of the hiring process, instead of having them toss your resume into the discard pile.

Open with your elevator pitch, but make sure you’ve customized it to map tightly to the job description. Your pitch should make them sit up and take notice. They should be thinking, “Hold on. This person sounds like they might be a great fit for our position.”

Then, talk about how amazing you think their c…