Poorly written cover letters are like letters without stamps – they won’t get you anywhere.
Despite all the denying about the importance of cover letter, the fact is cover letters are still regarded as a great chance to create an effective first impression.
While there are no hard and fast rules about how to write cover letters there do are standard and generally accepted practices to write a notable cover letter.
Firstly, it is important to remember that a cover letter is not a job application. It is short note that accompanies your resume or portfolio and should include:
- A brief introduction about yourself
- Highlight your unique selling propositions
- Give the hirer enough confidence to read further
- Provide a call to action as to what you’d want to be done further – fixing an interview etc
Secondly, it is very important to tailor-make your cover letter as per the job. This means you will have to do some research on the company, address the letter to the concerned person (most preferably include their name) and customize it accordingly. This research can be easily and quickly done on the web.
Thirdly, it is imperative as well as logical to establish your expertise in the cover letter. Talk about your skills and show why & how you can be a good fit for the job. You can also mention how enthusiastic about the job position and how can fit the corporate culture perfectly.
Last but not the least it is absolutely necessary never to write the same letter to another company. This can prove to be a greater waste of time on your part than the employers. In fact, writing a cover letter after doing your research and customizing it to fit the specific company can be the spark that gets the fire going. It is always a better idea to write bespoke cover letters to a select few companies (and wait for their response) than to write cover letters “in bulk” as they will hardly evoke a response.
Investing in writing well-researched and personalized cover letters can be half the job done while searching for jobs.
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Jobiety Editorial Team
Our editorial team researches and tests every piece of career advice we publish. We draw on real hiring data, interviews with recruiters, and hands-on experience to give you guidance that works.
