The cover letter you send along with your resume can make all the difference between getting an interview or having your application thrown onto the rejected pile, so it makes a lot of sense to allocate sufficient time and effort in writing it if you want it to be successful.
Employers are known to skip over this part of the application as generally they are seen as a boring affair. This is mainly down to the candidates not giving it enough attention and instead spending more time trying to get the resume right. What they don't seem to realise is that this is one of the most important aspects of the application process. Consider the fact that it is the first impression your prospective employer has of you and you might then start to recognise its significance, so see it as a great opportunity to stand out from the crowd and make an impact.
The ingredients of a good cover letter are basic, make it brief and to the point, throw in a simple outline of what you have stated in your resume with regards as to why the company should want to employ you above anyone else; add the personal touch, and you are onto a winner.
Here are some tips to writing a quality piece of communication that will get you noticed and put you well ahead of the rest of the applicants.
- Ensure you devise every cover letter specifically for the organisation you are applying to, and customise it for the particular job position you are aiming for.
- To be truly effective make sure you clearly state the reasons why you’re interested in working for this organisation, and why you want this career or job specifically.
- Identify your most relevant skills or experiences in relation to the position and ensure they express a high level of interest and familiarity about the position.
- The personal touch is the key to success and much more likely to get you noticed. If you add a few examples or reasons why this job is perfect for your skills and expertise it’s more probable to lead to an interview than anything generic.
- Only touch briefly on your work experience, you have already listed details in the resume so there is no point repeating the information. Remember that you want to complement your resume, not say it all again!
- A well-written cover letter will provide relevant information about you that doesn’t really get a chance to be mentioned in the resume. This can really be used to sell your abilities and talents so don’t miss the opportunity to put it in. This can include personal qualities and work practices. You can even use it to touch upon previous work relationships where you feel you excelled or received outstanding feedback or praise.
- Take some time to research the company you want to work for as this will give you an insight into their aims and goals and enable you to write a truly compelling letter personalised to the specific job and company. A tailored, custom-written cover letter will get you a lot more results than a standard one any day.
If you follow the tips above it won't be long before you become an expert at writing cover letters to send with your resume, and that perfect job you’re seeking will soon follow.