Cover Letter Mastery: Tips for Standing Out
What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a brief document submitted alongside a job application, providing insight into the applicant’s qualifications, skills, and values. The purpose of a cover letter is to paint a compelling picture of the applicant in order to stand out amongst other applicants, showcasing the unique qualifications and selling yourself as the right person for the job. By professionally displaying skills and experiences, a cover letter can help demonstrate an applicant’s value and enthusiasm for a job.
Importance of Writing the Perfect Cover Letter
A cover letter can be the pivotal part of an effective job application. It serves as a great opportunity to show potential employers what kind of work ethic a candidate can bring to a job and how their skills and experience might benefit the company. It’s vital, then, that a cover letter is written thoughtfully and properly. A well-crafted document should be targeted, concise, and tailored to a specific job, setting the applicant apart from a vast sea of applicants.
Tips to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out
The key to a great cover letter is making it stand out from other job applications. To accomplish this, use the language of the job posting to reflect the terminology used, adding more specific details than listed in the job description. Doing this effectively may require research on the company, as well as the industry’s norms. Finding an interesting story to tie in with the pertinent job skill requirements can also be effective in providing an overall memorable impression.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
It is easy to make mistakes in a job application by submitting a generic cover letter. Employers may notice when an applicant puts little effort into a document that can heavily affect their job chances. As such, it is important to avoid mistakes such as being too general, using cliché phrases, or forgetting to check for typos and formatting errors. It’s also important to remain positive and professional when writing a cover letter, avoiding negativity or personal issues.
Effective Use of Keywords
Oftentimes, there are specific keywords employers are looking for when interviewing candidates. To make sure a cover letter is noticed, including keywords that directly relate to the job requirements can go a long way. A few specific key words in the cover letter can highlight the candidate’s qualifications or skills that may otherwise go unnoticed by the employer. Furthermore, an effective use of keywords can help get past automated scanners or Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to get into the hands of the employer.
Simplicity
When writing a cover letter, it is important to keep the language straightforward and succinct. Long sentences and flowery language can be difficult to read and quickly lose the employer’s attention. Keep the cover letter concise and to the point, avoiding filler words and unnecessary information. It is also beneficial to make it clear what skills an applicant can bring to the job by keeping the focus on what a candidate can do for the hiring manager. By remaining concise and direct, employers will be able to understand who the applicant is and what stands the applicant out from other candidates.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a cover letter is more than simply plugging in information; it requires thought, strategy, and an idea of the company’s best interests. A pre-written template does not offer the same opportunity to stand out as a customized letter. To craft the perfect document, research the company to identify their needs and how an applicant’s qualifications can meet them. Take some time before hitting that send button to make sure the details are correct, professionally written and perfectly tailored to the company’s interests.