You found the perfect job. You filled out the application, updated your resume or CV, have amazing references. There is just one final thing left to do; writing your cover letter. A one-page letter that highlights your strengths and why you are an amazing fit for the position. Yet why is this so difficult? Below are five easy ways to write a successful cover letter.
- Start Effectively: Open Your Letter With Enthusiasm
A good opening can win over the hiring manager. Why not show them genuine enthusiasm for the position you are applying for? “Employers look for employees who show real dedication and enthusiasm for their jobs, and usually this stems from candidates who either are attracted to the brand or have used the products and services themselves”-states Herbert Movant, a writer at Academicbrits and the PD Kingdom. Starting with a brief, honest statement about why you admire this company’s brand is an immensely powerful start in your cover letter.
- Avoid All the Classic Mistakes
You have heard all the advice before on writing cover letters. Yet, an alarmingly large number of job applicants ignore all the basic advice that is given to them. This is detrimental and a sure-fire way to miss out on a job opportunity. So, don’t ignore what you are being told by the experts.
- Adapt your cover letter specifically to the company and role you’re writing it for – try to find out the name of the person that will be reading your letter. This way you can make the letter even more personal, and it will prove you’re a determined candidate who wants this job.
- Keep your cover letter to a page long.
- Don’t rewrite your resume or CV- show them the “why” in your letter.
- Proofread-there is nothing that will stop you from getting a job more than a cover letter with spelling and grammatical errors; especially if a simple spell checker would have caught them.
- Focus On Your Strengths, Not Your Weaknesses
“It’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing on your weaknesses; such as not being qualified for the position you are applying for directly or generally being down on yourself and that is a mistake to avoid in your cover letter,” explains Terry Edwards, a career expert at OriginWritings and NextCoursework.
Market yourself – demonstrate knowledge by showing why you will be beneficial for the company.
If you do not have experience, focus on your skills and explain why you are the best candidate for the job.
- Write a Cover Letter That is Unique to the Position You are Applying For
A lot of people use the same cover letter template for different kinds of jobs just by changing the company name.
To make it more original, change a sentence or two about why you want the job and the relevant skills section of your letter.
A hiring manager knows when you have used a standardized cover letter and it will usually cost you the position you are applying for.
When you write a cover letter, write each individual letter, and make it unique to each position and company you are applying for. Unique and thoughtful cover letters show genuine interest from the applicant, which translates to loyal and engaged employees. This leads to better productivity and sales overall. Writing a cover letter from scratch also makes it more likely for you to land the job.
- Show What You Can Do For the Company
Your cover letter should clearly express what you can bring to the company and the position. It’s ok to show off your ambitious side a little when writing your cover letter.
Focus on showing to the hiring manager what benefits you can bring to the position you are applying to – this helps demonstrate your enthusiasm for being hired.
These are simple, easy tips to help write an amazing cover letter. Following the five tips listed above will help you land interviews and hopefully make it easier to find a rewarding career within your chosen field of expertise.
