Have you found an appealing job opportunity for which you qualify? Congratulations on finding a job lead, but do not break out the celebratory champagne just yet! A resume and a cover letter usually accompany job applications. Even if you have a ready-to-go resume, you should customize your cover letter each time you apply for a job. How can you craft a cover letter that features your best qualifications? Here are six tips that will help craft a winning cover letter.
“1” Start with a bang.
It is supposed to be a bad thing to judge a book by its cover. On the other hand, employers have no qualms about judging job candidates by their cover letters. Human resources departments shuffle through hundreds of cover letters. The professionals who work in human resources are trained to detect talent quickly and efficiently. Cover letters that do not wow within the first couple of lines will likely be discarded without further examination. Start with a strong opener that will convince an HR associate that you are worthy of attention.
Cover letters that do not wow within the first couple of lines will likely be discarded without further examination. Start with a strong opener that will convince an HR associate that you are worthy of attention.
“2” Answer the most important question.
A cover letter is not decoration. It serves a real purpose—to explain why you are a fantastic candidate for a specific job opening. As in a persuasive essay, give supporting evidence to answer the most important question. Why should they hire you? Read your entire cover letter. Ensure that each statement supports your argument.
“3” Don’t forget that a cover letter is a letter.
Writing a business letter is a skill. A well-written letter shows that you can compose professional correspondence. Check to see if you have properly formatted the dates, addresses, formal salutations, and paragraphs. Next, examine the contents of the letter. Have you presented facts in a logical order? Are there spelling and grammar mistakes that need to be corrected? Recruiters will notice how well you can express yourself. Good communication skills are vital to the success of any job position.
“4” If you don’t have it, skip it.
What happens if you have most, but not all, of the requested skill set for a certain job opening? There is no need to apologize for skills that you do not possess. Do not even mention them! Focus attention on your assets. Let your positive attitude and enthusiasm shine through your words. These qualities can make you more attractive than a candidate who has all the requirements but none of the personality.
“5” View your letter from the outside looking in.
You know you are a great catch. You are familiar with your record of hard work. You know what you go through to do a great job every day. Your potential employers are not privy to this information. You must put yourself in their shoes. What key qualities and skills are listed in the job announcement? Now, read your cover letter as if you were the employer. Have you demonstrated that you possess these desired traits? If not, add evidence from your work and educational history to show why you are an ideal candidate.
“6” Do not make your cover letter a repeat of your resume.
A resume is designed to be brief. A cover letter, though brief, is an opportunity for you to give details. You can explain the strongest points featured in your resume or you can talk about additional strengths that you could not fit into your resume. Either way, make good use of the space. Clearly demonstrate how your academic and career experiences have prepared you to excel in the job duties of the advertised position.
“7” Hit the biggies.
Some job announcements are not particularly detailed. This should not deter you from establishing why you deserve consideration. According to Katharine Hansen, PhD, hiring managers consistently pursue candidates who possess five main skill groups. These universally desirable qualities are the ability to write and communicate effectively, the ability to lead a group, the capacity to work well with others, logical reasoning skills, and a strong work ethic. If you mention how you embody these characteristics, you will make a great impression on recruiters.
These universally desirable qualities are the ability to write and communicate effectively, the ability to lead a group, the capacity to work well with others, logical reasoning skills, and a strong work ethic.
How can you improve your cover letter? Review the job requirements. Make sure you have highlighted how you meet them in your cover letter. Pay attention to formatting and grammatical details. Use unique information that supplements, rather than restates, what you listed on your resume. Finally, focus on your positive assets and the five major qualities that all employers value. What are you waiting for? Put the champagne on ice, and get ready to celebrate a great cover letter!
from Grammarly Blog
http://www.grammarly.com/blog/2015/7-ways-to-write-better-cover-letters/
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