Write a Cover Letter That Will Stand Out

Write a Cover Letter That Will Stand Out Write a Cover Letter That Will Stand Out Job seekers can help themselves by tailoring their cover letters to specific employers and using an appropriate format. One of the best tips on writing a cover letter is to incorporate keywords that match terms in the job posting. That can help job seekers with companies that use resume-filtering software. In the age of the digital recruiting, is it still important to know how to write a cover letter? The short answer: Yes. Yet, far too often, job seekers treat the cover letter as an afterthought to writing a resume. Or they don't bother to write one at all. Your cover letter is your introduction to a company and an opportunity to make a good first impression on your prospective employer. So don't squander it. Resumes help employers wade through a huge pile of applications. But the cover letter is often the first thing the hiring manager sees, especially as the pile shrinks to the most promising candidates. Consider the following tips on writing a cover letter that will convince hiring managers and HR professionals to bring you in for an interview. 1. Don't just rehash your resume What's the first thing to know about how to write a cover letter? Your words should do more than restate salient details from your resume. Check out this brief checklist of important functions of a cover letter: Draw attention to specific skills and experience that make you an ideal candidate. Mention relevant skills and personal qualities the resume may not illustrate. Explain why you would love to have the job in question - and how it advances your personal career goals. Establish any personal connections to the company or hiring manager, and how you'd like to help the business grow. Justify any gaps in your resume. GET HELP FINDING A JOB 2. Tailor your cover letter to a specific job Take the time to target your cover letter to the job at hand. Write a cover letter they can't ignore. Begin by carefully reviewing the job description, making a list of specific skills and experience that match this particular role. ? Just as important, gather facts and figures that support your claims. For example, if you're applying for a managerial role, mention the size of teams and budgets you have managed. If it is a sales role, discuss specific sales goals you've achieved. In addition to highlighting your talents, you can further personalize your cover letter by demonstrating your familiarity with the specific industry, employer and type of position.?? ? Remember that employers don't just want warm bodies. They want employees who love their work. They know these are the people who tend to perform better, serve as stronger team members and have greater potential to grow along with the business. 3. Address the hiring manager personally Just as you personalize your resume to the role, you should also address the cover letter to the person actually hiring for the position. If it is not spelled out in the job posting, call the employer's main phone number and ask for the name and title of the hiring manager. ? This is also your chance to show you've done your research on the company, its mission and key leadership. Mention any personal connections you have to the company and colleagues you might have in common. (Many job referrals are based on personal connections.) 4. Use this cover letter format A cover letter is not a quick email you dash off. You should write to the same standards as any formal business letter. Use a standard font size (10 or 12 point, in a readable font style such as Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri). Keep it to one page (generally three or four short paragraphs). And include your name and contact information at the top in a business letter format. ? SUBMIT YOUR RESUME 5. Use keywords from the job description Many employers use resume-filtering software that scans for resume keywords and evaluates how closely resumes and cover letters match the preferred skills and experience. ? That means your cover letter should incorporate key phrases you've identified in the job description. During the writing process, review qualifications such as the type of degree required, the number of years' experience needed, specified software skills, organization and communication abilities, and project management background. 6. Proofread thoroughly Once you're convinced you've made a strong argument for your candidacy, it's time to proofread your work. No hiring manager wants to see a cover letter with typos and grammatical errors. ? After you've given your cover letter a final polish, ask a friend with excellent grammar, punctuation and spelling skills to review it. Consider providing a copy of the job posting so your friend can make sure you've hit all the right points.