We have all heard of the quote which says 'don't judge a book by its cover'. However, you cannot deny the fact that a book with an attractive cover instantly catches your attention and you get an urge to buy it. Or, at least go and look for its contents.
A good cover letter can act in the same way for you. Writing an attractive cover letter can ignite a desire to know more about you in the recruiter's mind. And then there's a good chance that the employer calls you in for an interview.
Be so good that they can't ignore you.
Many times job application forms have an option to attach a cover letter. While applying for a job most of the candidates get confused about whether to send the cover letter or not. Remember, it is always better to send both the cover letter and resume while applying for a job.
The cover letter helps you to introduce yourself. A cover letter gives an idea of what you are and what you possess other than the things mentioned in your resume.
This is your chance to include all those things in brief that you wished you could add in your resume.
A good cover letter creates a good first impression. If you write an effective cover letter, you have an increased chance of getting an interview call.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a one-page document that you have to send with your resume to provide more information about your skills and experiences. A cover letter is your first introduction and impression that you imprint on the hiring person. So it’s important to write an effective cover letter.
Try to avoid including the same information that you have mentioned in your resume. Instead, try to emphasize your experiences wherein you used your skills to solve a problem. Highlight why do you want this job and how you are a good fit for the same. Align your skills and morals with the core values of the company and show that you possess what they seek. Make sure your cover letter reflects your own identity and not somebody else's.
A cover letter should be 250 to 400 words long. There is no specific format to write a cover letter, but practice well before writing the actual cover letter and make sure it is well organized. Consider the following points to structure your cover letter:
Greet the recruiter
Opening paragraph: Include your achievements
The second paragraph: Include your skills and why you’re a good match for the job
Formal closing
Some companies mention about requirements of the cover letter in the job posting itself. Even if the company doesn’t ask for the cover letter, you can include it which can act as an advantage for you.
What to include in your cover letter:
1. Show how you solve a specific problem:
Only mentioning the problem-solving skills in the form of bullet points is not sufficient. You must have to include the details of the problem, how you analyzed it, and what approach did you take to solve the problem. If you know about the company's issues and problems related to a specific section, you can give a brief idea of how to solve it and suggestions to overcome the issues. This way interviewer gets the idea of your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities.
2. Tell your story:
Research says that stories are up to 22 times more memorable than facts alone.
Use your cover letter to tell your story. The purpose of the cover letter is to introduce yourself to the organization. Show your interest in the company, draw attention to your resume, and motivate the reader to interview you. For the correct approach, you can include your story which emphasizes your skills and the interviewer can see your working style and personality. Research the company and the job position before crafting your story and include the information relevant to it.
3. Pick an appropriate voice and tone:
The cover letter is the introduction of yourself, so pick the appropriate voice and tone while writing it. The tone of the letter can convey a number of things. While writing, the tone of the letter may differ from company to company. For example, the tone of your letter for the consulting firm will likely differ from that for the IT company. The tone speaks about your personality, passion, work ethics, professionalism, and leadership qualities. These traits can make you a good fit for the job position.
4. Honesty is the only policy:
In this competitive market, it may seem to be difficult to create and maintain a good impression and attract the attention of recruiters. Since many people have the same qualifications as yours, being honest can give you an extra edge over the others. Don't try to fake something in your cover letter, the interviewer can catch your lie.
In fact, 56 percent of hiring managers find lies in the candidates’ cover letter.
Therefore be specific and honest while including your skills. Carefully read the job description, evaluate the skills required, and align them with your own skills.
What to avoid in a cover letter?
1. Avoid overused phrases :
A simple and clear cover letter is an important tool to grab the recruiter's attention. The cover letter should be short, preferably one page, and should convey the message clearly. You should avoid the repetition of verbs and nouns. In addition to this, you should not use meaningless phrases in your cover letter that don't have anything to do with the job position you are applying for. These phrases may not decrease your chance of getting the job, but certainly don’t increase it either. Recruiters review hundreds of cover letters daily and get tired of reading the same common phrases. So make sure you add some new and interesting information related to your career in a cover letter.
Here are some phrases that make the recruiters whine:
To Whom It May Concern
Literally
I’m not sure if you know
Kind of, sort of, in terms of
Due to the fact that
considered to be
Unimaginable, remarkable, wonderful
2. Never include irrelevant information:
Never include irrelevant information, the interviewer may get confused and miss out on the important points in your cover letter. The things you should not include in your cover letter are personal information, negative comments about your current or past employer, salary, etc. No need to write too many or lengthy paragraphs. Keep your letter short and focus on conveying only the important points that you want the recruiter to know, to grab the attention of the hiring manager.
Now that you know the advantages and the do's and don'ts of writing a cover letter, you can make sure to write an impressive cover letter while applying for a job. Following the above tips while writing a cover letter can make the process easier for you.
A well-written cover letter can definitely help you to get a call for the interview. Customize your cover letter and take the time to align your qualification and skills with the job requirements. By including information like why you are a perfect fit for the job position and how excited you are to work with the company you can increase your chances of getting selected. Make sure you keep it formal, simple, and real.
Started writing your cover letter yet? Let us know in the comments.
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