Cover Letter – Is it Ever Appropriate to Use Bullet Lists in Your Cover Letter?

You may find yourself in a bind while writing your cover letter, and may have trouble finding the best way to make your list of skills and attributes readable within a paragraph. In some circumstances, it may actually be best to format your qualifications into a bullet list.

When creating a bullet list within your letter, be sure to use full sentences and really get your talent out there in as few words as possible. Bullet lists within a CV letter tend to draw attention to your “selling points”-in other words, the reason you should be hired over other applicants.

Do not, however, use a bulleted list within your letter if you have no major attributes to display. If you are applying for a job industry that you have minimal skills or experience in, you will just be highlighting your faults and lack of experience by creating a bulleted list with sub par qualifications. This will hurt you, and not help you, by creating a letter that highlights your lack of skills instead of showing off your best talents and accomplishments.

Why can bullets within your cover letter help you stand out from the rest?

When hiring managers are shuffling through hundreds of job applicants, a bulleted list will appear quick and easy to read, allowing them to scan through your skills and quickly make an educated decision as to whether or not you could be their next employee.

So when writing your cover letter, seriously consider whether a bulleted list within your cover letter will work for you or against you. It’s always a good idea to go with your gut when it comes to compiling your winning cover letter.