You’ve been there, you’ve seen the ad, and you want to be the person to fill that spot. Congratulations! Now it’s up to you to make sure your cover letter stands out above the rest and gets you the position you deserve.
While there are no rules preventing you from rewriting your cover letter multiple times before your application is due, doing so won’t hurt your chances of getting the job. Rewriting allows you to fix any problems that might arise with the original version, and allows you to fit the letter to the specific needs of the recruiter.
Here are some tips on how to write a cover letter that will make the recruiter want to call you back for more interviews.
Make It Short And Sweet
The first thing any recruiter will do is scan your cover letter to determine whether or not they should even bother reading it at all. Keep your cover letter to three paragraphs or less and you’ll be on your way to a successful application.
Don’t use big words or complex sentences – the recruiter will have to devote two or three hours to figuring out what you’re saying, and the last thing they need is additional work to do. Instead of using words like “definitively,” “ultimately,” or “immutable,” opt for simpler phrases like “I believe,” “in my opinion,” or “the best option is…”
Shortening your cover letter will also help you weed out any unnecessary fluff. No one wants to read a 20-page document when they’re trying to figure out if they should hire you or not. Keep things simple, and to the point.
Format It Perfectly
When you’re writing your cover letter, keep in mind that the recruiter isn’t a mind reader. They’ll have to look at your letter and know what it means – the formatting is key. Did you use proper grammar and spelling throughout the letter? Did you arrange the paragraphs in the correct order? Were the sentences structured and easy to follow?
These are all important questions that can be answered by simply formatting your cover letter correctly. Indent each paragraph with four spaces so that it’s easier for the reader to discern what’s been written. Use a formal style with your letter – this will certainly help the recruiter take you more seriously.
Make It Memorable
You’ll be providing a resume to the recruiter, but they’ll only be remembering you. To make sure they remember you, write a cover letter that’s memorable. If you used words like “definitively,” “ultimately,” or “immutable,” the recruiter will have to stop and consider what those words mean before they can move forward.
You can also include a short bio about yourself or your relevant work experience. Make it easy for the recruiter to find more information about you by including your contact information (email, phone number, social media links).
You want the recruiter to look at your cover letter and immediately know what you are trying to convey – make sure that they understand your motivation for leaving your current job and how you fit in with the company.
Keep The Language Concise And Business-like
In your cover letter, you’re writing an objective description of yourself. Conciseness is the key – you want to keep the language concise but also make it easy for the recruiter to understand.
A lot of information can be conveyed in a short amount of time, so keep your language business-like and concise. Use action verbs to highlight your key achievements and highlight how you bring value to the company. For example, “I led the project to increase sales by 15% within the first year” or “I ensured that contracts were implemented successfully during my tenure at Company X.”
Avoid using language that’s overly intellectual or difficult to understand. Instead, use familiar words and phrases that any person reading the letter will be able to comprehend. To make your letter easier to understand, use bolding and larger font for subtitles (like the key details mentioned above).
Think of a time when you received a phone call from a stranger – what would you say to convince them that you’re a reliable person? Use your cover letter to make the same kind of impression on the recruiter.
Include All The Necessary Details
This includes everything from your resume to the cover letter itself. When you’re writing your resume, make sure that you include all the necessary details about your education, training, and work history. Remember that a lot of recruiters and employers will rely on professional headshot for the first impression – make sure that your headshot is up to date and includes your contact information (email, phone number, social media links).
You want the recruiter to know exactly who you are and what you can offer the company. Make sure that your resume follows a logical order and uses a standard format – this will make it much easier for the recruiter to understand what you’re offering.
Include all the important details about yourself in the cover letter – this includes your education, skills, and experience. The cover letter is an opportunity to convince the reader that you’re the best person for the job. Make sure that your cover letter is concise but also manages to include all the necessary information. Remember that most people will only focus on what’s in the text and not the formatting or the font size. In other words, make sure that your letter is easy to understand.
Once you’ve written your letter, it’s time to send it off to potential employers. Before you do, however, take a few minutes to proofread it again. Professionals from Accenture advise that no one ever gets it perfect the first time around, so don’t worry about spelling errors or factual inaccuracies. As long as your letter is written in a straightforward manner and uses easily recognizable language, you’re bound to get some responses.