A cover letter is a single-page document that accompanies your resume that includes your contact details and the job in the company you are applying for. It also includes any other professional details about you that would augment your resume. Your cover letter gives a better understanding to the recruiter of your job suitability.
You have vital details to add
If you have additional details to fill in that cannot be put in the resume, include a cover letter in your job application. Examples include a gap in your career that cannot be explained in the resume. In some cases, you are looking for relocation, and that information does not sit well in the resume.
You should use your cover letter as an opportunity to explain pertinent information about your career life that can add value to your job application. That would make your application unique and would make it stand out from the rest. It would make the recruiter curious to know more about you.
If you have a personal referral from the company, you can mention that in the cover letter. Usually, no two candidates would have the same referral person. So, this is another avenue for you to stand out from the rest. The hiring manager will more likely look at you favorably if you have a personal connection with the company.
If you have completed an internship recently at the company, mention that in the cover letter. That shows that you are familiar with the working culture of the company and have an existing link to the organization. Be upfront about the position you held as an intern and your key responsibility areas.
Can make or break the deal
The harsh reality of the job market is that it is filled with candidates with the same skill set as yours. When you are looking for a job in such a cutthroat competitive market, the cover letter that you submit can make or break the deal. It can make all the difference and can help you land your dream job.
Imagine a scenario where the recruiter has shortlisted you along with another candidate with similar experience. Now, if your application is with a killer cover letter and the other person’s is without, who is going to look good in this scenario? You guessed it right. That would be you. Get help from professional cover letter writers.
Picture yourself in an elevator with the hiring manager, giving your elevator pitch, which should not take more than 30 seconds. Now, the hiring manager wants to know more about you and has asked you to apply for that job. Your cover letter should be an expansion of your elevator pitch.
Put some effort into making the cover letter targeted to the job that you are applying for. Never send a ready-made template or a generic cover letter. Instead, tailor-make it by using the keywords given in the job description. And most importantly, address the hiring manager with a name. For that, you might need to do some research to find the right name.
Use your voice and words
When writing a cover letter, use words and language that you would naturally use in the job interview. Your cover letter may look good, and you may get called for the interview. But if your style of talking at the interview does not match the cover letter language, the recruiter can very well make out that you did not write your cover letter.
The cover letter is a document that serves as a reply to the job posted. Study the job application to see how you can address some of the issues mentioned in the posting. A case in point is if the job description mentions that they are looking for a customer-centric person, you can briefly touch upon some compliments you have received from customers.
Your cover letter should address the question in your own words as to why they should hire you as opposed to anybody else. You would most probably get asked this question in the interview. So, it is a good idea to be prepared with an answer and mention something similar in the cover letter.
Never include in your cover letter any words, phrases, or sentences that you are not comfortable using in an interview. As much as possible, read and study the cover letter thoroughly, so you are well-versed with the information and details. Your cover letter must be your voice written in words.
A cover letter to sell yourself
A targeted and tailored cover letter increases your odds of getting your coveted job. It tells the employer why you are the perfect candidate. Here is what a well-written cover letter looks like:
1. Tell your unique story: The cover letter is a perfect medium that can convey to the employer your passion for the company or the role.
2. Demonstrates cultural fit: It gives the recruiter a sense of your background and how your personality fits within the culture.
3. States accomplishments with pride: Companies like confident job candidates who proudly state their accomplishments and achievements.
4. Specific examples of projects: Illustrate your suitability for the job by giving specific examples of past successful projects that you were involved in.
5. A call to action: Finish the cover letter with a call to action as the last sentence that would prompt the hiring manager to take some action.
6. Use the right formal closing: The right formal conclusions include: best regards, kind regards, sincerely, and thank you.
Write the perfect cover letter with these tips
Besides the basics you must follow to write a cover letter, here are some other important tips you should keep in mind:
● Your cover letter should be no more than 1 page and not more than 400 words
● Follow the instructions given as to the specifics of the cover letter, such as fonts
● Proofread and spell-check your cover letter thoroughly before submission
● Avoid cliches as much as possible, such as team player, good listener, etc.
● Use the same colors, style, and margin as your resume
● Use action words such as managed or coordinated to make you stand out
● Pick on a pain point in the job description and address it in your cover letter
● Avoid restating and regurgitating what is already mentioned in your resume
● Use a tone that is matching and is compatible with the culture of the company
● Add numbers and statistics to describe notable accomplishments
● Use no longer than 3 sentences when narrating anecdotes to save space
● Use memorable opening lines that get the recruiter excited and intrigued
● Use only sentences that tightly relate to the job description
● Use no more than 2 hyperlinks to showcase your past projects
● Do not include emojis, images, emoticons, or images
● Make it visually appealing by using paragraphs and avoid using a wall of text
● Show you are enthusiastic about joining the company
Conclusion
Let us summarize the importance of a cover letter. It should be a single-page document convincing the hiring manager that you are the ideal candidate for the job. It should show your passion for the job and why you like to join the company. The content of the cover letter must be without any generalizations or fluff. And don’t forget to address the hiring manager by name.
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