Expert Cover Letter Tips
66% of Hiring Managers Prefer an Appropriate, Well-Written Cover Letter
With a Resume*
Cover Letter Tips:
1. When at all possible, address your letter to a particular person. Do some research to find out the name of the person who will be reviewing your resume. This reinforces that this is not a generic cover letter, but one made especially for them.
2. Modify your cover letter to the particular job you are applying for and illustrate why you are the best choice for this particular position. Hiring Managers look for specialized cover letters, not mass-produced ones.
3. Do research on the company you are applying for. Discuss why this company/organization appeals to you. This shows employers you went the extra mile to learn about them - it may give you the edge over the competition.
4. Don't just repeat your resume. This is a chance to not only to illustrate your outstanding qualities, but to show your personality as well. Employers should want to meet you, not just your credentials.
5. Double and triple check for spelling or grammatical errors. 48% of hiring managers say they will not even consider a resume or cover letter with spelling errors*.
66% of Hiring Managers Prefer an Appropriate, Well-Written Cover Letter
Cover Letter Tips:
1. When at all possible, address your letter to a particular person. Do some research to find out the name of the person who will be reviewing your resume. This reinforces that this is not a generic cover letter, but one made especially for them.
2. Modify your cover letter to the particular job you are applying for and illustrate why you are the best choice for this particular position. Hiring Managers look for specialized cover letters, not mass-produced ones.
3. Do research on the company you are applying for. Discuss why this company/organization appeals to you. This shows employers you went the extra mile to learn about them - it may give you the edge over the competition.
4. Don't just repeat your resume. This is a chance to not only to illustrate your outstanding qualities, but to show your personality as well. Employers should want to meet you, not just your credentials.
5. Double and triple check for spelling or grammatical errors. 48% of hiring managers say they will not even consider a resume or cover letter with spelling errors*.
Five Ways to Punch Up Your Cover Letter
Most people seek out advice on how to improve their résumé, often spending a lot of time, and sometimes a lot of money, to make their résumé the perfect job-acquiring tool. Unfortunately, the cover letter, and the significant role it plays in the job search, often gets overlooked.
It shouldn't be this way. The cover letter truly is the unsung hero of the job-hunting ritual. When done right, it is a finely-crafted tool that pinpoints your qualifications for a particular job and lets potential employers know, in a nutshell, why they should hire you.
While résumés offer the scope and depth of your qualifications, the cover letter extracts pertinent pieces of information and puts it prominently in front of the interviewer in a way that the résumé simply can't. Here are some ideas to punch up your cover letter:
Make a statement.
This is your first, and perhaps only, chance to make an impression on a potential employer. Use the cover letter to sell them on why you are the best choice for the job. Think of it as an advertisement for you and your skills. Make it persuasive, memorable and to the point.
Be charismatic and passionate.
While the résumé reflects experience, it's "all business" and can't really convey your personality. That's where the cover letter comes in. Use it to showcase your spark, creativity
Customize your information to the position.
When applying for a job, the job requirements rarely perfectly match the experience on your résumé. Usually some points are more relevant to the position than others and that's when your cover letter works its magic. It helps the most appropriate information leap off the page and places it right under the reader's nose.
Show that you've done your homework.
The cover letter offers the perfect opportunity to demonstrate what you know about the company to which you're applying and how it relates to your experience. These additional nuggets of information may help give you an edge over other applicants.
Address irregularities in your résumé.
If you stopped working and have been home with your children for five years, your résumé will show this gap in employment. Let the cover letter rescue you by explaining this interruption in your work history. It also can clarify why you left a particular position or what kind of work situation you are looking for (part-time, night shift, etc.).
Remember, both your cover letter and your résumé are important tools in finding a job. Each has its purpose and, when done correctly, complement one another perfectly.