Want to land a job? Polish your cover letter
Are you linked in (pun intended)?
Nowadays, job hunting is more than submitting resumes and cover letters. It involves optimizing your LinkedIn profile and networking with professionals.
It’s easy to find job postings via Indeed or Glassdoor. However, before you apply, there’s something you should consider polishing, your cover letter. By now, we know the art of creating a resume. However, it can be tricky to create a unique cover letter.
You want to avoid having a generic cover letter and instead create one that makes you stand out. Here’s everything you need to know.
Address the hiring manager
Dear hiring manager,
Although it’s a good way to start your cover letter, you should make it more personalized. Instead, address the hiring manager directly. It shows your interest in the position and company.
And if it’s not mentioned in the posting, use LinkedIn to your advantage. It’s the easiest way to know who’s hiring for the position.
Use keywords from the job description
Soft skills you bring to the team include:
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Problem-solving
Does this look familiar? This is just an example of a job posting.
Referring to this example, you can always say “I have strong excellent communications skills” by completing [specific task] at a [specific company]. And just like that you’re using keywords from the posting.
Generally speaking, recruiters use software to scan your resume and cover letters. If keywords are missing, it reduces your chances of moving to the next phase. Always ensure you’re reading the postings carefully and identify those keywords. Then, add them to your cover letter.
Highlight your strengths
What skills do you bring to the table?
A cover letter allows you to highlight your skills. But, you must be descriptive when highlighting them.
For example, avoid mentioning you’re a “team player.” Instead, you could say “I’m a flexible team player with experience in building relationships with colleagues to achieve objectives.”
After which, you can highlight an instance where you actually displayed those skills.
Remember, your cover letter highlights your skills. As such, if you’re a content writer, it’s a given that your cover letter should be well-edited and free from grammatical errors. Though this should be true regardless of what position you are applying for, as it shows a level of professionalism important for any job.
Avoid rehashing your resume
Let’s avoid repeating all the information outlined in your resume. Instead, your cover letter should complement your resume. It should paint a picture of who you are and why you’re a right fit for the company.
Additionally, writing your cover letter requires adding a personal touch. It’s essential that you use the right tone and language to showcase your experience and personality.
Other tips to consider to give you an edge
- Keep it concise – always keep your cover letter to one page. If it’s more than two pages, consider cutting it down.
- Consider writing in the company’s voice – Visit the company’s website and social media. That way, you will understand the company’s tone, language and culture. And then, you can write your cover letter by mirroring their voice.
- Never apologize for missing experience – It’s tempting to highlight our missing experience when we don’t meet all the job requirements, but you should focus on your strengths instead.
Creating the perfect cover letter can be challenging. But, if you follow the tips mentioned above, you’re one step closer to wooing the employer. Plus, getting called for an interview! It’s all about finding the right tone, keeping it concise and highlighting your skills.
Follow our tips and polish those cover letters!
Here’s how you can create a resume that stands out from the crowd.
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