Cover letters are a crucial part of the job application in your job search process. They're also notoriously hard to write because they require you to give a brief overview of your skills and accomplishments in addition to being friendly and approachable. It’s your introduction to the company hiring manager and explains why you’re the best person for a given position.
Your objective is to present yourself as a qualified, likable candidate who adds value to your business. By doing this, you can boost the odds that the hiring manager will remember your application and choose to contact you for an interview.
Let’s break down how to write an effective cover letter into some key steps:
Make the greeting unique.
Make sure to address your cover letter to the person who will be looking over your resume when you write it. Address it to the hiring manager or the HR division if you don't know their name. Don't be concerned if you can't find the hiring manager's name in the job description.
LinkedIn is the best place to look for the person you should address your cover letter to, so you can easily find them there. You can just enter the company's name there and select People. Then, all you have to do is search for the person's name on the company's team page or About us page.
You can call and ask if you still aren't sure who will review your application; only email that question as a last resort.
How to start an introduction for a cover letter.
The cover letter's goal is to pique the employer's curiosity so they will want to read more. To encourage the hiring manager to read the rest of the cover letter, you want your opening paragraph to be intriguing and attention-grabbing. Recruiters receive so many applications for jobs each day that they frequently only skim them.
The first paragraph of your cover letter should be brief, but it should also be memorable, amiable, casual, and extremely relevant to the position you're applying for.
Consider writing a brief introduction to yourself that highlights your enthusiasm for the organization you're applying to, your love of what you do, and/or your prior successes. Your chances of being hired will increase right away if you demonstrate to the hiring manager that you are passionate about the position. The fact that committed workers are more engaged and therefore more productive is not a secret. Explain in detail why you want the position at this company.
If a current employee recommended you for the position, your cover letter introduction is the best place to mention their name and your relationship with them. This is a powerful technique for quickly impressing a hiring manager.
Avoid stating your entire resume.
As you move on to the following sections of your cover letter, keep in mind that you're not writing an essay that serves as a resume summary; rather, everything should be very straightforward and to the point. You have the opportunity to discuss why you are genuinely interested in the organization and its mission in the cover letter.
Make sure you don't come across as too formal or familiar. You don't want to come across as foolish, but you also don't want to sound stiff and uninteresting. Employers should be persuaded that you are the ideal candidate for the position by your second and third paragraphs. In those two paragraphs, it would be best to go into more detail about your relevant work experience, abilities, and accomplishments.
Achievements, accolades, and expertise are a few things to mention in your cover letter to demonstrate your value to potential employers.
Connect your experience to the demands of the company.
Reiterate your interest in the position as you begin to close your cover letter and discuss how your experience relates to the requirements of the company.
You should attempt to make it clear how your background fits the position and demonstrate that you understand what the organization is looking for. Take the time to carefully read the job description and attempt to decipher the keywords to determine what issues the company hopes to address by hiring you. Which abilities or encounters are frequently mentioned? These requirements are probably the most crucial. Afterward, make an effort to describe how your relevant experience would benefit the business over the long term.
If you're still unsure of the company's needs or goals, do some online research to learn more. Then, try to understand their long-term objectives and explain how you can help them achieve them.
Ensure your conclusion is compelling.
Your cover letter should conclude with a very clear call to action, maintaining your self-assurance and positioning yourself as the ideal candidate.
Mention that you're interested in this position and let them know when you're available for a callback or contact to set up an interview. (Click here for some tips on how to make a killer impression on a job interview) Just be sure to be clear and confident without coming across as demanding. You can also include significant information at the end of your letter, such as the fact that you are prepared to relocate for the position.
Remember to thank the reader for their time and let them know you're looking forward to hearing from them.
Double check your format.
Consistency in visual presentation is crucial. Keep your cover letter between 200 and 350 words long, single-spaced, using the same font size as your resume (10.5 to 12 points), or simply use Arial or Calibri. This will ensure that the reader can easily read it.
The final piece of advice for creating a strong cover letter is to always try to avoid writing lengthy sentences because doing so will make it easier and more enjoyable for the reader to read.
Make sure the formatting is correctly translated when converting the letter to a PDF.
We hope that you’re now ready to write your cover letter! The tips we offered here should help you craft a great cover letter that will make it easy for employers to see how well-qualified you are for the job and why they should keep reading. Now all you have to do is apply for your dream job and prepare for your interviews.
-(1).png)
