How to Write a Cover Letter - 6 Tips for Writing a Strong Cover Letter
A
cover letter is a short, conversational document the purpose of which is-
narrating your resume in your own words, highlighting relevant skill set and
contextualizing it for a specific job. It is that piece of information that can
make you stand out from the crowd while applying for a job.
So how do you make sure that your cover letter makes an impression and that you are able to write something meaningful in few well-worded sentences?
So how do you make sure that your cover letter makes an impression and that you are able to write something meaningful in few well-worded sentences?
Here
are a few pointers on how to write a good cover letter:
1. Have a strong opening: Don’t
go for a generic opening statement- ‘I am
applying for a certain job I saw in certain place.’ Start with something
more impactful, something that showcases what excites you about this job and
why you are the right candidate and best fit for this particular job. Chances
are the hiring manager or recruiter is reading a stack of such, so you want to
catch their attention.
2. Do your research first: Before
you start writing find out more about the job you want or the one you are
applying for and the company as well. Things you could look for are what the
company does, who are the competitors, its position in market, challenges the
company is facing. This not only demonstrates your interest in company and the
role but also gives you knowledge to tailor your cover letter.
3. Addressing your cover letter: Always
address your letter to someone directly. If you're unsure of the right contact,
search for the right person on social media/internet and don't be afraid to
call the company to ask for a name.
4. Letter format and
presentation: Don’t exceed one page of text. Keep the
format that of a standard business letter irrespective of whether you’re
sending it as an attachment or in the body of the mail. Use a standard font
like Arial or Times New Roman. Go through the letter multiple times and check
for spelling mistakes or grammatical errors before hitting the send button.
5. Emphasize your personal value:
Recruiting managers are looking for people who can help them solve problems.
Include why you would be an asset to the company, the unique things you have to
offer and how they would benefit from having you on their team You can talk
about how your how your experience or worldview will help you at the job,
perhaps explain how you solved a similar problem in the past or share a
relevant accomplishment.
6. Show enthusiasm:
Enthusiasm is essential as it conveys personality. Make it clear why you want
the position as a lot of people today possess required skills. Hence the
employers want someone who truly is interested in the job.
Your
cover letter's often the very first impression a hiring manager, recruiter or
HR professional has of you -- make sure it's the best it can possibly be.
Business Communication, Business Letter Format, Cover Letter Format, Cover Letter Sample, Cover Letter Tips, Letter Writting
Location:
New Jersey, USA
It seems that no matter what I do, my cover letter sounds so fake. This resource looks like it might be able to help with that.
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