Nuts and Bolts of Effective Cover Letters
As a job seeker, you should not overlook the importance of a cover letter. When strategically written, it increases your chances of being considered and provides an opportunity to highlight your individuality.
A cover letter is much more than saying, “I read the job ad on the ABC Job Board, please accept this letter as an application of interest.” It’s a statement that tells the reader what to expect from you if hired, while also providing reasons why you’re interested in working for your organization specifically.
The challenging part is determining what information to include. After all, all the juicy information is outlined in the resume. What could you add to the cover letter that would add substance to your qualifications?
Keep in mind that the resume and cover letter have different purposes. A resume shows you can do the job, highlights your past accomplishments, while a cover letter outlines how well you meet the job requirements for a specific company and how you’ll fit in.
A well-written cover letter gives you an edge over your competition because it provides another opportunity to showcase your experience and qualifications.
The basics of the cover letter can be mastered by following the tips below.
To sell! To sell! To sell!
A cover letter is more than just a business letter; it is a sales letter. Start with a strong presentation, present the benefits you offer, and establish credibility by showing off your accomplishments.
Write while you speak.
Use a professional conversational tone, but sound like a real person wrote it. Many people fall into the trap of using big words to communicate and the writing turns out to be forced. Instead, write in a direct way that entices the reader to review the resume. The words you choose should show enthusiasm for the position, the company, and the industry.
Write from the reader’s perspective.
Action words should not be reserved for the resume. Start the most sentences with a power word. Don’t use a passive voice. Since it is a cover letter, it will be impossible to avoid using “I” as a sentence starter from time to time, but be aware of its use and limit it to a few. If you have four sentences in a row that start with the letter “I”, mix them up.
Don’t repeat your resume.
Be creative when presenting your qualifications and achievements. You don’t want to bore the reader by simply repeating the information you included in your resume. Find different ways to communicate the same message. The best way to do this is by selecting three to five major selling points and highlighting them in the body of your cover letter. Doing so will entice the reader to do more than just glance at your resume.
You must use all the tools at your disposal to secure an interview. Specific cover letters add to your portfolio of qualifications and deserve as much consideration as a resume.