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?

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.