Cover Letter Writing

The job hunting process is daunting for everyone. Combing through job boards, networking, updating your resume, preparing to answer interview questions—all of it can be an intense process. But the most difficult part is crafting an effective cover letter, which many in the digital age question to still  be necessary.

The answer is yes. A well-written cover letter piques the employer’s curiosity and motivates him/her to read your resume. Here are some easy-to-follow tips for cover letter success.

Tailor your letters to specific organizations and responsibilities of the position

There are thousands of cover letter samples and templates online, but the truth is—a general cover letter will not be valuable to your potential employer. Before you start writing, research the company and the specific job you want. Knowing the company and what they are looking for in an ideal candidate will you help you customize the letter, decide on the tone and what you want to focus on the most. A great way to determine which experiences to highlight in the cover letter is by dropping the job description into a tool like Wordle, and seeing which keywords stand out. That’s what the hiring manager is looking for the most.

Grab the hiring manager’s attention with a strong opening statement

Start with the punch line—why this job excites you and what makes you the perfect fit for this role. If you have a personal connection with the company or someone who works there, mention that within the first couple of sentences. And always be sure to address the letter to someone directly. If you don’t know the name of the person, research it online—LinkedIn is a great resource, or call the company and ask who the hiring manager for the position is.

Show them what you can bring to the table

Don’t focus on what the company can do for you, but rather what experiences and new knowledge you can contribute to them. This is an opportunity to distinguish yourself from the sea of job applicants. Here, you want to explain how you can help the company solve problems by demonstrating how you’ve previously solved a similar problem, or share a relevant accomplishment. This is also a great time to use a few numbers if you are talking about results you’ve achieved. If you have recommendations from clients, co-workers or supervisors, include these as quotes in your cover letter to demonstrate evidence of your experience and passion in the field.

Keep it short and sweet

Three to four brief paragraphs is enough to describe your interest in and value to the company and position. Remember, there is no need to regurgitate your resume. Hiring managers are looking through hundreds – if not thousands – of applications, so being succinct is preferred. It increases the chances of your letter getting read and your resume opened.

Finally, make sure that throughout your cover letter, you convey enthusiasm and make it clear why you want the position. Good luck!

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