How to Write a Strong Cover Letter
Your cover letter is the first impression you get the chance to make with a company. A well worded and executed cover letter can be the edge that gets you the job you want so it pays to do a little bit of research before sitting down to write it. Here are some general tips that will help you produce the final result you need for success:
Tip 1: Keep it short.
The most important thing to remember about a cover letter is that the person receiving the letter probably reads dozens, if not hundreds, of very similar pages every day. They are constantly scanning for information, and don't want to waste a lot of time poring over page-long introductions to resumes. Keep it short and simple. Instead of going on and on about prior work experiences and skills, stick to one or two key factors that you think will set you apart from the rest of the pack. Save the rest for the resume. A concise, well-worded cover letter will get more information to the person reading it, in a more pleasant way.
Tip 2: Show genuine interest in the company.
Instead of writing a generic cover letter that could be for any company or organization, take some time to research the company you are applying with and add specific information about them. Tell the company how you could benefit the company and be specific. Your cover letter will standout with this extra research and you will come off as more prepared and informed.
Tip 3: Use a business letter format.
Make sure you use the standard business letter format when writing your cover letter. Here is an example of the basic template:
Date
(Skip 4 lines)
Recipient's Name
Recipient's Title
Recipient's Company
Recipient's Address
(Skip 4 lines)
Dear Recipient (be as specific as possible),
Insert opening paragraph here. Be sure to use this section to grab your reader's attention.
Insert second paragraph here. This section should give specific examples of work you have performed.
Insert third paragraph here. Here is your chance to talk about what you know about the company and how your previous experience will benefit them.
Insert final paragraph here. In this section, be sure to thank your reader for taking the time to look over your letter. State that you look forward to hearing from them.
Valediction (Sincerely, Respectfully, Regards, etc),
Sender
Sender's Title
Sender's Address
Sender's Telephone
Tip 4: Proofread, and then proofread again
With so many applicants applying for available positions, it is absolutely crucial that your cover letter be perfect. One typo or grammar mistake can get you completely thrown out of the running. Take the time to look over your letter several times. Read it out loud. Have a friend read it. Do not lose out on an excellent job because you forgot to hit spell check.
If you follow these four simple tips, you will have a much better chance at getting noticed by potential employers.
Article Resources:
Career Realism
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