4 Resume Cover Letter Tips
69Most job seekers understand the importance of a well crafted resume and therefore they commit a huge amount of time into developing one. Equally important if not more so is the cover letter that is used as an introduction to your resume. While a resume will give you a chance at getting the job a well written cover letter will get you hired!
The job market is becoming increasingly competitive and this is why failing to include a knock out cover letter is a huge mistake. With it you can tell the prospective employer more about yourself in a more informal tone than can be used on the resume. With it you can tell employers why you are the one that they should hire. As important as the cover letter is you should ensure that you follow specific guidelines to get the most out of this tool.
Personalization Is Important
In this day and age where information like who the hiring manager is can be easily obtained with a phone call or a search online it is important that you replace the “To Whom It May Concern” phrase with the name of this person. This will cause the manager to sit up and take notice when reviewing your letter.
You should also personalize every letter that you send out to address the specific company and position to which you are hiring. Sure it would take extra time to personalize the content of each letter but it will pay off in the end since employers will appreciate the fact that you took the time to do this.
Show Why You’re The Ideal Candidate
The hiring manager should immediately see why they should give you the opportunity to move on to the interview. Outline the experience that you have that is relevant to the position that you are applying for. Highlight it in such a way that the reader will easily find this bit of information. The cover letter is the place to sell yourself, but do not overdo it as it may turn off the reader rather than create interest.
Include a Strong Call To Action
Your cover letter is similar to a sales letter and just like one you need to include a call to action. An otherwise powerful cover letter with a weak ending will get no results. Replace phrases like “I look forward to your positive response” with a more decisive ending like “I will call your office next week to arrange a meeting.” Even with this statement you should remember to include your contact information just in case your potential employer will like to contact you before then.
Edit, Edit, Edit
Taking the time to go over your cover letter several times to check for typos, poor grammar and incorrect information is a must. Go over the spelling of the company name and the name of the person that the letter is addressed to ensure that they are spelled correctly. If possible have a friend or two review your letter for a fresh perspective on the layout and wording. Having a well written document that is devoid of typos and grammatical errors will indicate to the employer that you are a true professional.
With these four simple tips you will create an awesome first impression that will leave the prospective employer wanting more.
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Thank you Adriana, people often make modifications based upon their own comfort level and are welcome to do so. Though with the amount of people looking for jobs in todays economy it is probably a good idea step a bit outside that comfort zone and provide a follow up call to confirm ones interest.
Enough has been written about writing a resume successfully but still with the each passing day, there seems to be some alterations here and there either in the job requirements or the job environment and based on that the content of the resume needs to be updated on a regular basis.
Adriana Uribe 13 months ago
I agree, the cover letter is essential to the way you introduce yourself to a prospective employer but I disagree about your "Strong Call for Action". Although it is necessary to close the letter with a statement that will make the employer read your CV, employers detest pushy applicants. Someone telling an employer they will call the office next week are going to have little chances for an interview. No one likes to be pushed.