Cover letters are essential for any job application. With the nature of the employment market, you must stand out from your competition.
A cover letter can help you stand apart from your peers, but it is not enough that you write a cover letter. You need to write compelling and engaging content to motivate a potential employer to contact you for an interview. Here we share some key points that teach you how to write a good cover letter.
Complete Research Before You Write
Before you begin, learn important information about the company and the role you want. Thoroughly read the description of the position you're applying for, explore its website and its executives' social media profiles.
Your research will assist you in personalizing your letter for the specific company in question. You should never send a general template cover letter without first customizing it.
It’s often helpful to contact the hiring manager before you begin your cover letter. Then you can start your letter by referring to that interaction. You can't always reach someone from the company you're applying to, but it is worth trying.
Open With a Strong Statement
Keep the Focus on the Future
Your resume should be a reference for your work experience, while your cover letter should emphasize the future and your goals. Because the nature of work has changed recently, many people now apply for a job they've never done before.
You should use your cover letter to describe any career shifts you're making. Think of your cover letter as a chance to demonstrate your transferable skills and tell a story.
Emphasize Your Unique Value
Hiring managers need people who solve problems. Your research will demonstrate that you are familiar with the company's challenges. You could discuss how the industry has been transformed by the pandemic with remote work and discuss how your experience can help you meet those needs.
Review how you resolved a similar dilemma in another role or speak about relevant accomplishments. You should show concrete evidence of what sets you apart from your competition.
Include examples of when you received specific and actionable employee recognition. The ability to learn fast and adapt is crucial for nearly any position these days. If you have good examples that illustrate your adaptability, include them in your cover letter.
Demonstrate Your Enthusiasm for the Company and the Role
When you are bypassed for a role, more often than not, the hiring manager didn't buy that you wanted the job, not that you didn't have the proper skills. Hiring managers will almost always choose the candidate who makes it seem like this role is their dream job opportunity.
You want to know how to write a good cover letter? Showcase why you want the job. Enthusiasm can communicate your personality. It's not worth even applying if you're not passionate about some part of the company or role.
Monitor Your Tone
While you may be very excited about the role, please don't overdo it with praise. Authenticity is vital in the hiring process. Even if you've been unemployed for months, you should avoid sounding desperate.
You never want your tone to weaken your message, so always be professional and mature. Consider the language that the hiring manager would use. It can be hard to recognize your tone in writing, so you may need to ask someone to review your draft.
Keep It Short and Sweet
Most of the advice about cover letters says to keep them less than a page in length. While you do have to include a lot of information, you must do it briefly. This is why asking someone else to review your letter can help. They can point out parts that you can leave out to make it more concise.
Get Specific Feedback
As mentioned, it's an excellent idea to share your cover letter with people for feedback. But don't just send it to them and ask for general feedback. Instead, it would be wise if you were specific about the feedback you need. Ask your reviewer if your main point is clear. Do they know what you are trying to say? Feedback can help you ensure your letter gets your point across clearly and concisely.
Our advice should help you write a good cover letter no matter the role in question. Making sure to take the time you need to research and write a clear and concise cover letter could make or break your next job application's success!
