Expert Tips for Writing a Winning Employment Cover Letter
Hello, Dear Reader Welcome back to our blog. In this blog, you shall be reading on everything you need to know on how to write a cover letter when applying for a Job.
Before we find out on how to write a cover letter, it is important for us to understand the definition of a cover letter.
What is a Cover letter?
A Cover letter is a one page-document that you submit as part of your job application (Usually alongside your CV).
The main purpose of a cover letter is that it acts a personal introduction to who you are as a person and helps you to pitch yourself to the recruiter/hiring manager of the company that you will be applying to.
A Cover letter acts as a way of communication between you the candidate as well as the recruiter/hiring manager of the company that you will be applying to. There are many ways to how you can tailor your CV cover letter to help you get the job.
When writing a cover letter, one must include the following things within their letter:
A) How a candidates work experience meets the job requirements
b) How your skills meet the job requirements of the employer
c) Why you want to work in their organization &
d) What value will you be able to bring to the table?
Since your cover letter needs to provide proper information to the recruiter that you are the right person for the job.
In order to accomplish this, you must follow these practices when you write a cover letter:
1) Pick a voice and tone to write with:
This is one of the most important things that you must take into consideration when writing a cover letter for a company that you’ll be applying to.
Which is to determine the tone that you’ll need to use when writing a cover letter, doing basic background research on the company will help you in choosing the tone that you’ll want to use when writing a cover letter. (For example, the tone that you’ll need to use with a conglomerate is completely different to that of a tech startup).
2) Tell your story:
Telling some interesting stories your career is not only a way of telling ‘who you are?’ but it also is a useful way to demonstrate your skills which also gives recruiters and hiring managers some insight into your personality and your style of work.
Moreover, matching your stories with the requirements of the job position that you will be applying to will also help the recruiter in making an easier choice in shortlisting you for the interview round!
3) Be Honest:
Always remember “honesty is the best policy!”. If the recruiter/hiring manager were to find out during the screening process that you had lied in your cover letter. In the case that you do have an employment gap in your career, A cover letter is the perfect opportunity to explain why you had the career gap that you did in the first place!
4) Highlight Your Strengths:
Instead of telling the company that you don’t have a certain skill or degree, its okay not to mention it. Highlighting on the skills and experiences that you do have will explain how you make a great fit for the job that you’ll be applying to
5) Format!:
“First Impression is the best impression”, the amount of work that you put into your cover letter perfecting it. Would also give an insight into your work ethic and your work style, An impressive cover letter would help you in landing that job interview that much more easier! Moreover, make sure that your cover letter is not longer than a page (3 to 4 paragraph will do the job!).
Include a space between each greeting, each paragraph and after your closing. This will add a lot more white space which will in turn make your cover letter more professional.
No matter how much effort you put in your cover letter, make sure to pick a professional, readable font so that the hiring manager/ recruiter would be able to read.
We’d recommend Times New Roman Size 12.
6) Proof Read:
Since recruiters/hiring managers will have to go through the CV’s and cover letters of hundred’s alongside yours. A small typo can make or break your chances of scoring that interview.
To avoid this, proofread your cover letter for as many times as well you possibly can, by reading through your letter and correct any spelling or grammar errors. If you’re not sure about it yourself, give it to a friend or a family member who can help you out by checking for errors, you can also use that opportunity for some feedback so that you can perfect your cover letter with the help of that feedback.
7) Send it to the right place:
Now that you’re done with your cover letter. The last vital part in your job application is actually sending the cover letter. If the job posting does say to send your cover letter and CV to a specific email. Make sure to send it to that specific email that recruiter/hiring manager wants to receive it in. Be sure to include your name and the position that you’ll be applying for when sending your cover letter in the e-mail.
In case the recruiter wants you to send it through an online application system, make sure to send submit your materials using an online application system and not through e-mail.
That is all you need to know on how to write a great cover letter!. If you’ve read till the end thank you so much for reading. I hope that this was useful for all of the jobseekers reading this!
