What makes a cover letter dynamic

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No one seems to agree on cover letters. How much time do you need to spend perfecting them? Do hiring managers even read them? Is it better to just send in your resume and call it a day? I'm not in HR, but I've been approached by applicants who wondered whether their cover letter would actually be read. My answer is one not many of them wanted to hear: "sometimes. Other times, you can get away with just sending in your resume -- like when you network your way into applying for a position.

The truth is, you can't really predict on a case-by-case basis -- and you're better safe than sorry. For the most part, having a cover letter will give you an upper hand in ways your resume doesn't. It allows you to show off your writing skills, provide details that you couldn't fit on your resume, demonstrate your passion, and show your willingness to put in as much time and effort as possible.

An application letter is a written document addressed to an employer by a job applicant, explaining why they're interested in and qualified for an open position. More commonly known as a cover letter, this document can come in the form of an email, MS Word document, or similar application template offered by the employer.

Seems fairly basic, right? Cover letters can hold different levels of importance to an employer depending on the industry you're in and the job you're applying for. If you do plan to write a cover letter, keep in mind there are certain qualities it should have that are not included in the definition above.

So, what should you include? We'll let the 11 templates below this list do most of the talking. No matter which one you download, pay attention to the following elements -- all of which should shine through in the letter you send to your future manager. Cover letters shouldn't just carry your contact information, but also that of the company to which you're applying. Contact info includes your phone number, email address, and any social media accounts you're willing to share and receive connections to.

Home addresses aren't required, but they can be a helpful reassurance to the employer that you already live nearby and would have no trouble coming into the office. Avoid offering phone numbers, email addresses, or actual addresses that belong to your current employer. Using your personal Gmail address over your work email, for example, ensures your correspondence with recruiters remains separate from all of your current work communication. For as often as you see "to whom it may concern" at the top of cover letters today, do your best to avoid writing this exhausted line.

Address lines that specify a person or company grab your reader's attention much more quickly, and show the employer that you've taken the time to tailor your application letter to them. Don't have the name of the hiring manager? A "hook" is a clever introduction that "hooks" your reader into wanting to learn more. Think about yourself as a job candidate -- what makes you unique? What about your career might a recruiter be intrigued by that you can package into an interesting first sentence?

It's a no-brainer that you should summarize your professional experience in your cover letter. However, today's best applications describe why this experience qualifies the applicant for the job they're applying for.

For example, don't just state that you spent three years writing for a company blog. Explain that this type of work lends itself to managing your new potential employer's content calendar every week. But a good cover letter can work wonders in convincing an employer of your credentials and your professionalism, as well as providing insights into your personality and character. Make sure you address the letter directly to the person named on the job ad.

When a manager can feel confident in your ability to manage yourself and solve problems without needing excessive supervision, they might view you as a valuable asset to their business. Being able to solve problems means fewer problems for the manager who is thinking about hiring you. Unless the issue required manager approval to decide on a specific solution, I have always been able to find the solution on my own without the need for disturbing other coworkers or managers.

The ability to manage your time efficiently is a useful skill that management values highly. Besides being able to complete the necessary tasks by a deadline or the end of the workday, time management skills commonly mean you can complete tasks faster than usual. Consider using your cover letter to provide an instance where you effectively managed the time of yourself or others to complete the necessary tasks before a deadline.

Every job has consisted of meeting deadlines and completing specific tasks before the end of a day or week, and I had always made sure to understand the dynamics of the task and the team to complete my duties before they needed to be done. Adaptability skills are critical in fast-paced workplaces that are prone to many changes.

When a change or shift happens within a company or project, an adaptable employee will adjust their tasks and modify goals for their benefit and the benefit of the company. Being able to learn new skills quickly and efficiently is advantageous to the company and the job applicant. Consider explaining previous jobs that required you to learn a new process or adjust your daily routine and how you adapted quickly and positively.

My previous job required process adjustments frequently, and that has led me always to be ready for changes that happen. Being dependable is extremely important to employers because they know they can rely on you. When you say you are going to do something, people trust you to do it. When you agree on completing a task, a manager can depend on you to complete it with quality. In your cover letter, you can include job experiences where other people depended on and how you managed this dependability successfully.

I have many times been trusted with more demanding and sometimes delicate tasks because I could be relied on to accomplish them. You can depend on me to accomplish any task I say I can do and hold myself accountable for every action I take. Technology continues to increase in the workplace of most industries, and having a technical aptitude can put your future employer at ease when thinking about hiring you. If you have a personal connection with the company or someone who works there, mention it in the first sentence or two, and try to address your letter to someone directly.

Hiring managers are looking for people who can help them solve problems, so show that you know what the company does and some of the challenges it faces. Then explain how your experience has equipped you to meet those needs. No one likes job hunting. For many, the most challenging part of the process is writing an effective cover letter. The answer is almost always yes. Here are some tips to help. If at all possible, reach out to the hiring manager or someone else you know at the company before writing your cover letter, advises Lees.

Think of it as an opportunity to sell your transferrable skills. Instead, lead with a strong opening sentence. Chances are the hiring manager or recruiter is reading a stack of these, so you want to catch their attention.

Stay away from common platitudes, too. If you have a personal connection with the company or someone who works there, also mention it in the first sentence or two. And always address your letter to someone directly.

Hiring managers are looking for people who can help them solve problems.