When you send a job application, you also include a single-page cover letter along with your resume. The cover letter is an instrument that acts as a preamble to your job application. A well-organized cover letter gives the reader abridged information on your resume, providing them with a perspective into your career and accomplishments.
What Makes a Good Cover Letter?
Writing a persuasive cover letter is the key to selling your candidature for an employment opportunity. The letter exhibits your traits, making a positive influence on the potential employer. A good cover letter is usually the deciding factor between getting a job interview and having your application disregarded. That is why it's essential to commit your energies to write a persuasive cover letter.
Why Write a Cover Letter?
The reason you write a cover letter is to introduce yourself. Your cover letter is an opportunity to give recruiters valuable insight into your abilities, showing the skills and experience you have that correspond to the competence and knowledge required for the job. Simply put, a cover letter is supposed to inspire hiring managers to read your resume.
Cover Letter Structure
The letterhead of your cover letter must have your names and contact details. After that, write the names of the person that will be reading the letter. In most cases, this person would be the hiring manager. Find out their names, position in the company, contact details, and include these details right below yours. You should also add the position you are applying for under these details and make sure you underline that. Always use the first paragraph to provide these details.
For a cover letter to have an immediate impact, it must begin with a noteworthy or memorable introduction. You also need to make sure it has specific, clear-cut examples of work you have previously done. These examples must be relevant to the job you're applying for. It would be best if you also used the introduction to showcase how you have previously resolved a complication or dispute, and how this experience will benefit the company that you want to work for. Your cover letter should then contain the following:
Your Letter Must Correspond to the Job Requirements
- List all the skills relevant to the position you're applying for.
- Provide evidence of your ability to solve particular problems with examples of your experience with previous employers.
- Use a particular tone and voice for your entire cover letter while making sure your writing is addressing the reader. Let them read it like they are listening to you personally. Get a little background on the company to help you determine what tone and voice to use.
- Make sure your letter is conversational so that the reader can learn about your story. If the reader learns about your attributes and your work style, it might influence them to choose you. For example, if you say that you have strong communication skills, yet the reader does not feel you are communicating to them, you will have failed to influence them. You must use the cover letter to convince the reader.
- Making your cover letter distinctive will allow you to you stand out from every other applicant. Make the reader feel like they are walking through your career.
Whenever you apply for a different position, you must write a new cover letter. The letter must show that you understand what the job position is all about. You must also show that you comprehend what the employer is expecting. Be honest about your experience, competence, and attributes. Here are ways to make your cover letter correspond to specific job requirements:
Once you have written everything, end the cover letter with a confident call to action, prompt the employer to contact you and arrange an interview. Finally, politely thank them for their time. Finally, edit and proofread your letter. Make sure your cover letter looks nice, properly formatted, and not repetitive. Once again, ensure there's no irrelevant information. Following this guide will ensure you have a fantastic cover letter that is sure to persuade any recruiter to shortlist you for an interview.
- Determine who you should address on the cover letter. Get specific by determining the names of the person that will read the cover letter and then use their last name to address them, either as Mr. or Ms.
- Get information about the company and the job they have advertised. Learn what your responsibilities would be and how they expect you to work. Will you be a part of a team, or will you work alone? Do they need you to fit within a specific personality or profile? Do they have specific details that describe the position and your duties?
- Make sure your cover letter has your name and contact information (phone, email). Your email address must be professional, so make sure to use your full name or initials. Avoid using witty emails, nicknames, etc.
