You’ve made it through the grueling job search process. You’re in front of the hiring manager and ready for an interview. But you still need to convince him or her that you’re the right person for the job. What do you say? Well, let’s start with your cover letter!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| A cover letter should be tailored to the specific job and company you’re applying to |
| Your cover letter should include a brief introduction, relevant skills and experience, and a conclusion expressing your enthusiasm |
| It’s important to keep your cover letter concise and to the point, typically no more than one page |
| Address your cover letter to a specific person whenever possible |
| Use specific examples to make your cover letter stand out |
| Write a new cover letter for each job application |
Ask For A Job Interview
When you are ready to ask for an interview, make sure you are clear about what you want. Do not assume that the hiring manager will know that you want an interview. It is better to write “I would like to request a job interview” than it is to leave this part out of your cover letter.
Also, be polite and specific when asking for an interview: if possible, give the person’s name who referred your application; this will show them they have made a difference in your life and career development as well as remind them who they are recommending!
Be careful not to be too pushy or too vague when requesting an interview; keep it simple and direct you don’t need fancy language here!
When writing a cover letter, it’s important to show the employer why you’re a good fit for the job. Consider highlighting your relevant skills and experience. For more tips on how to showcase your fit, check out our article on why you’re a good fit.
Address The Hiring Manager
When you’re addressing a cover letter to a specific hiring manager, it’s important that you not only use his or her name but also the proper title. The salutation and closing should be addressed with “Dear Mr./Ms.” followed by their surname for example:
- Dear Mr./Ms. Smith:
- Sincerely yours,
In addition to being polite and professional, referencing your correspondence in this way also shows that you’ve done your research on whoever is reading it. This is proof that they are an important person in their field of expertise (or at least know how to integrate themselves into an organization) and worthy of special attention when applying for jobs at their company.
Get To The Point
If you want to be taken seriously as a job applicant, you’ll need to make sure that your cover letter is both professional and concise. That means no fluff!
Your cover letter should include your name and contact information at the top of the page be sure to use a professional email address here so that hiring managers know how serious you are about landing the position.
It’s also important that you use a professional greeting in your first paragraph: “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern.” After this greeting, explain why you’re contacting them in brief terms:
“I am writing to apply for the position listed on Company X’s website.”
This is where it gets interesting: instead of writing out everything about yourself, list only those qualifications directly related to what was listed in your job description.
For example, if they were looking for candidates with five years of experience managing teams on large-scale projects but none of their listings mentioned any specific degree requirements or certifications
Then focus exclusively on demonstrating competency as an individual contributor about project management skills this shows that not only have you done some research into what they’re looking for but also highlights why they should consider giving someone like yourself an interview.
Summarize Your Experience And Qualifications
The key to writing a cover letter is making it easy for the reader to digest. Don’t be afraid to use bullet points, short sentences, and bolded sections to make your experience and qualifications clear. If you’re applying for multiple positions that require different skill sets, make sure you use the same format in each section so that they’re easily distinguished from one another.
You can also use this section as an opportunity to show off your personality by mentioning something in passing or pointing out a relevant fact about yourself or the position that isn’t obvious from experience alone (e.g., “I was a lifeguard at Camp Casey”).
An effective cover letter can make all the difference when it comes to landing a job. It’s important to tailor your cover letter to the specific job and company you’re applying to. For more information on how an effective cover letter can impact your job search, check out our article on the importance of a cover letter.
Include Examples Of Your Past Achievements
This is a great way to demonstrate your skills and experience. You can also use examples of your past achievements to show how you meet the employer’s needs and work with their team. Your cover letter should be able to get a hiring manager excited about meeting you in person, so make sure it’s filled with this kind of information!
Explain How Your Qualifications Meet The Employer’s Needs
A cover letter is your opportunity to show the employer that you are a good fit for the position. You do this by explaining how you meet the employer’s needs and answering questions about how well-suited you are for the role.
A cover letter should also provide an overview of what you’ll bring to the company and convince them that they should hire you.
For a potential employer to know if he or she wants to hire someone, they need to know what skills are required for them to be successful at their job.
This can be challenging if there isn’t already an open position available; however, many companies have jobs posted on their websites where they’ve listed exactly what they’re looking for in terms of qualifications and experience level required
So job seekers can tailor their application materials accordingly before submitting applications through email or online portals like Glassdoor.com (which allows users who’ve been approved access).
Show That You Understand The Position And Company Culture
The best way to prove that you’re a good fit for the position is by showing that you understand the role and company culture. This means knowing about the company, its goals, and what it values. But this isn’t just about learning the names of departments at random it also involves understanding how things are done at your potential employer.
For example, if I were applying for a Marketing Manager position at Cover Page (and let me be clear: I am not), my cover letter would explain what I have done in my career and why I would be an asset to the organization.
Then, rather than just listing out all of my accomplishments as they relate specifically to this one role (which can seem like an obvious “I want this job” ploy), I would take time describing how those qualifications play into Cover Page’s mission statement or core values.
Are you wondering if a cover letter is really necessary when applying for a job? The answer is yes! Studies show that a well-crafted cover letter can make a difference in the hiring process. Learn more about the impact of a cover letter by reading our article on whether a cover letter makes a difference.
Include Exactly What You Will Do For The Position
If you’re applying for a job, it’s important to show that you have the skills to do what the employer is looking for. This should be done through the use of examples and specifics.
For example:
- I can solve your problem by doing X and Y.
- I will solve your problem by doing X, Y, and Z.
- I solved this very similar problem in my last position as such-and-such by doing A through D with these results/outcomes X and Y happened afterward.
Describe How You Will Demonstrate This Knowledge In The Interview
Now that you have demonstrated your knowledge of the company, it’s time to show how you will demonstrate this knowledge in the interview. You can do this by explaining the results that you have achieved in the past, or by explaining how you used that knowledge about an example from the past.
Alternatively, if you are currently employed, then describe how your current role allows for growth and development within a specific area of expertise.
This will help show an interviewer that not only are you qualified for the position but also motivated and willing to work hard at learning more about their organization as well as its goals.
Discuss How Salary Is An Important Factor In Your Decision-Making Process
In many cases, salary is one of the most important factors in a job applicant’s decision-making process. As such, it’s worth including this information in your cover letter.
You can do this by:
Mentioning that salary is an important factor in your decision-making process (e.g., “Salary is an important factor in my decision-making process.”)
Directly stating your desired salary range for this position (e.g., “I’m looking to make $60k-$80k per year.”) or asking what the employer’s range is for a position like yours (e.g., “I’m hoping to earn a salary between $60k and $80k per year.”).
If you are applying for multiple positions at once or have applied elsewhere with different salaries listed, also include a note about how much money you’re currently making as well as any other relevant information about your current compensation package (e.g., “I am currently earning $56k per year but would be willing to take less if necessary.”).
A cover letter can be a powerful tool in your job search, especially if you’re looking to land your dream job. By tailoring your cover letter to the specific job and highlighting your relevant skills and experience, you can increase your chances of getting hired. For more tips on how a cover letter can help you secure your desired job, check out our article on using a cover letter to get your desired job.
You Don’t Need A Moon Landing Or An Ivy League Degree To Get An Interview
You don’t need a moon landing or an Ivy League degree to get a job. You just need to show the potential employer that you are worth hiring, and your cover letter is the best way to do that.
When it comes to writing your cover letter, you don’t have to brag about how amazing you are at everything. The point of a cover letter is not to make yourself sound perfect; it’s simply meant as an introduction of yourself and what makes YOU valuable as an employee.
Joining the workforce can be difficult if all you know is your high school education or college degree (which, in some cases, may not even be relevant). If those are your only credentials, there will most likely be very few jobs available for someone like yourself who doesn’t have many other skills outside of academia (or perhaps working retail).
A cover letter can be a powerful tool in your job search, especially if you’re looking to land your dream job. By tailoring your cover letter to the specific job and highlighting your relevant skills and experience, you can increase your chances of getting hired. For more tips on how a cover letter can help you secure your desired job, check out our article on using a cover letter to get your desired job.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a few things you can do to make sure that your cover letter is as effective as possible. First of all, make sure that it’s written in an engaging style that showcases your personality and enthusiasm for the job.
Second, make sure that it highlights key skills and experience relevant to the position at hand. Finally and most importantly make sure that everything you include in this document demonstrates exactly how you will be able to help the company achieve its goals if hired!
Further Reading
How to Write a Cover Letter: Tips & Examples: Indeed offers a comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter, with tips and examples to help you create an effective letter.
Why Cover Letters are Important: Michael Page provides insight on why cover letters are important, including the impact they can have on the hiring process.
Cover Letter Definition: Investopedia offers a straightforward definition of what a cover letter is and what it should include.
FAQs
What should I include in my cover letter?
Your cover letter should include a brief introduction, a few paragraphs that highlight your relevant skills and experience, and a conclusion that expresses your enthusiasm for the job and your willingness to follow up. Make sure to tailor your letter to the specific job and company you’re applying to.
How long should my cover letter be?
Your cover letter should be concise and to the point, typically no more than one page. Use clear and simple language to convey your relevant skills and experience.
Should I address my cover letter to a specific person?
Whenever possible, it’s a good idea to address your cover letter to a specific person, such as the hiring manager or HR representative. This shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the job.
How do I make my cover letter stand out?
To make your cover letter stand out, try to highlight your unique skills and experiences that align with the job requirements. Use specific examples to illustrate your accomplishments and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job.
Do I need to write a new cover letter for each job I apply to?
Yes, it’s important to tailor your cover letter to each specific job and company you’re applying to. This shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the position.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.
