A cover letter is the first – and often only – piece of correspondence you’ll send to a potential employer. It serves as a kind of sales pitch for your resume, but with much more emphasis on your words than your looks.
While several styles of cover letters exist, the general rule of thumb is to keep them under two paragraphs. A couple of sentences explaining what the letter is for would go a long way, as would a short salutation. In cases where there’s a lot more to say, make sure you keep things simple and clean. Avoid using long sentences and complex phrases; instead, keep it short and sweet.
The Purpose Of A Cover Letter
The purpose of a cover letter is to briefly introduce yourself to the reader and explain why you’re writing. Typically, you’ll want to mention something about the job you’re applying for, but in doing so, you must not forget about the person reading your letter. Therefore, in the same vein as a good sales pitch, your cover letter should be somewhat tailored to the person receiving it.
To this end, instead of simply sending your resume to a bunch of employers, you would target your cover letter to a specific employer and make sure that employer is aware that you’re specifically addressing your letter to them. This not only makes your letter more effective, but it shows that you’ve done your research and are aware of their particular needs. Be sure to mention what makes them special and what makes you stand out above other candidates.
What Makes This Letter Special?
Apart from the content itself, your cover letter should include a number of special elements that make it stand out above the rest. Typically, you’ll want to include a short section that briefly explains the importance of the job you’re applying for and why you’re qualified for it. You should also include a section that elaborates on the skills you have that are relevant to the job.
For example, if you’re applying for a marketing job, you could mention that you have extensive experience in digital marketing and SEO, and how that relates to the job in hand. A section on professional experience is also a good idea, as it shows that you’ve put in the time and effort to acquire the skills you speak of. You should include verifiable examples of your work, and make sure that these are either online or within easy reach of the reader.
Remember: you’re writing to encourage them to read your resume, so don’t pepper your letter with too many examples of your prowess. Two or three examples should suffice.
How Is This Letter Different From Other Resumes?
Apart from being brief, your cover letter should also be comprehensive enough that it contains all the relevant information that the reader needs to make a decision. If you follow the above guidelines, your cover letter will inevitably be different from others. The more you practice, the more you’ll become confident that you’ve done everything needed to make an informed decision.
Your cover letter should also include a brief section on your hobbies and interests, as this sometimes determines how effective you will be as a communicator. If you’re interested in writing, you could include a section on your favorite writers and their styles, as this can help you develop your own writing voice. Additionally, if you have a specific area of interest that you feel is relevant to the job you’re applying for, then include this in your cover letter. However, do not go overboard and make it overly promotional. A good cover letter should always be about you as a writer and not focused on your other achievements.
The Conclusion
Apart from getting the word count down to a minimum, the most important guideline to keep in mind when writing a cover letter is to write for a specific reader. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that you’re aiming your letter at a single person. Make sure that your letter is relevant to them and that it answers all of their questions.
Even though your cover letter is only a few sentences, use these few sentences wisely. Tailor your letter to the specific needs of the employer, and make sure that you always add value to the conversation.