Some job applications ask for a cover letter to accompany your resume. What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a short letter (usually three to five sentences) that you send alongside your resume. It gives the reader some understanding of who you are and why they should consider hiring you.
The cover letter is usually the first thing a recruiter or employer will read after your resume. So, it is crucial that you make a good first impression by writing a well-crafted, compelling cover letter.
Here are some things to keep in mind when writing your cover letter:
Keep It Short
You only have a few sentences to sell yourself. Shorter is always better. A common mistake candidates make is using endless words, taking longer than necessary to convince the reader you’re the perfect person for the job. Shorter is more direct, and it shows you’re trying to be concise while maintaining relevance.
You want to write a compelling cover letter that will have recruiters and HR execs scrambling to call you. You don’t have a lot of time, so make sure the material is concise and to the point.
Make It Concise
Even though you only have a few sentences to work with, don’t get too verbose. Your resume will eventually go through several edits, so it’s important to keep it concise and easy to follow.
You want to leave the reader interested in learning more about you; make sure your resume is easy to understand and interesting.
Crafty
Your cover letter needs to have some artistic touch to it. After all, you’re writing this to impress the reader. You want to use words and phrases that will catch the attention of the person reading it. If you’re not naturally crafty, take some time to learn how to write creatively. If you’re looking for a creative boost, consider freelance writing for blogs or small businesses. It’s not easy to find someone who can write persuasively for an outsider, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t have formal training in this area.
Professional
Your cover letter should reflect your writing style and approach as much as possible. After all, this is what the recruiter will be reading. You don’t want to choose an informal writing style in your cover letter because it will make the reader uninterested in your content.
If you don’t have a writing style that fits the job you’re applying for, take some time to find out what would suit the employer best. Also, make sure to use the correct spelling and grammar. Even though it’s not a long letter, typos and poor grammar can easily put you out of the running.
Interesting
Your cover letter should be interesting to read. After all, you’re using this opportunity to introduce yourself to the employer and convince them to hire you. Make sure you touch on some of the reasons why the employer should choose you.
You don’t have to write an exhaustive dissertation about the company or the job posting. Short and sweet is the name of the game. You can easily demonstrate your interest in the position by including a quick reference to an accomplishment that is directly tied to the job you’re applying for. This could include putting in some extra time, getting a qualification, or launching a web product.
With a little bit of effort, you can easily put yourself in a position to write a winning cover letter.
Choosing the right job is a major decision. You’re going to be spending a lot of time there, so it’s important to find a position you’re passionate about. When it comes to writing a cover letter, you want to choose words that will make the reader interested in learning more about you. When you’re passionate about a job, the words will come easily to you, and you’ll be able to craft a compelling letter that will land you the position you deserve. Good luck out there!