Do you dread the question, ‘tell me more about yourself’ on an interview, a date, or cocktail party? If so, writing a cover letter may bring up lots of angst as it’s a more in-depth version of this question.

There’s so much conflicting advice out there it makes it difficult to know where to start, with some experts saying you no longer even need a cover letter. I’m here to set you straight.

For starters, yes, write a cover letter. There’s a 50% chance that it won’t get read, but there is another 50% chance that it will help you stand out and allow you to distinguish yourself from the competition. Not attaching a cover letter risks appearing lazy, and that’s not the foot you want to start off with.

A cover letter should achieve 3 things to convince the reader you are the right person for the job:

• Demonstrate how your work experience meets the job requirements

• Show how your technical skills meet the job requirements

• Explain why you want to work for this company

Consider your audience – get creative to stand out if you’re applying to a design firm but air on the side of conservative if it’s something more traditional like a bank you are applying to.

Start with a strong opening and avoid generic statements like ‘I’m applying for X job that I saw in Y place’ and consider instead something like ‘ I’m a Human Resources Director with more than 10 years’ experience building, retaining and growing some of the largest design teams in Advertising and I would love to bring my experience and passion to your growing People team.’ Start your cover letter by capturing the attention of the reader and encouraging them to read on.

Do your research – Make sure you personalize your cover letter by researching ahead of time the name of the hiring manager or recruiter. Linkedin is a fantastic tool to do your detective work and find these important details, as is social media. There’s no excuse to not be able to personalize a cover letter to a hiring manager with today’s tech and social tools.

Consider the requirements of the job- use the job description and requirements of the job to guide the content of your cover letter. This means your cover letter may look different for each of the roles you apply for.

Demonstrate your Interest – Make it clear why you want the position. Don’t be shy about showing your enthusiasm! Lots of candidates have the right skills and ambition but hiring managers want to hire the person who really wants to be in that company and in that role. Everyone wants a colleague sitting next to them who is loves their role and is pumped about the work they are doing. Enthusiasm conveys personality and lets the hiring manager read beyond the accomplishments on your resume. Consider adding something like ‘ I’d love to work for [company name]. Who wouldn’t? You’re the industry leader, setting standards that others only follow and create technology that raises the bar for competitors.”

Show your appreciation –  Don’t forget to close with a thank you to show your appreciation!

A well-written cover letter will help get your application noticed and help you secure an interview. Take the time to personalize it to show the employer why you’re a solid candidate for the job!