How to Write a Convincing Cover Letter
The best way to introduce yourself and impress your potential employer is through a cover letter. Don’t waste the opportunity.
Here are some insights to write a convincing cover letter that will make the hiring manager shortlist you for an interview.
1. Don’t Make it a Copy of Your Resume
One of the things to avoid when writing a cover letter is transferring the key areas of your resume to the cover letter. Here is what to include in your cover letter;
- Highlight your primary skills and experience relevant to the position you are applying for.
- Convince the hiring manager that you are qualified for the job by demonstrating your competency through the cover letter.
- Show the hiring manager that you are conversant with the company’s vision and mission statements and the company’s leadership.
2. Customize the Cover Letter to Match You’re Applying
Avoid using multipurpose cover letter templates whenever you are applying for a position. Instead, you will need a specific cover letter for the job opportunity at hand. A cover letter that stands out highlights your matching skills and experience with the role you are applying for. In this cover letter, address the points that show you’re the right candidate for the job.
Show the hiring manager that you can hold the position by mentioning your success story in a similar post. For instance, if you’re applying for a sales job, explain how you can achieve your sales target. If it is a managerial role, highlight the biggest team of subordinates and the budget you have managed in your current or previous job.
Personalize the cover letter by stressing your talents that are in line with the position. Also, show that you understand the role, the company, and the industry.
3. Speak Out About Your Success
Hiring managers are seeking employees who enjoy their work, perform well and have a good attitude. They know these people are more likely to succeed and contribute to the growth of the company. Don’t shy away from mentioning your most outstanding achievement relevant to the position you want to be interviewed for.
4. Be Concise
Bombarding the hiring manager with a lot of information in the cover letter makes it easy for them to lose interest in your application. You should not do it. The recruiting manager receives a lot of applications; make yours short and straightforward. That way, they will be interested in reading it. The appropriate size of your cover letter should be one page if it is to be printed.
5. Address the Hiring Manager by Name
As you customize your resume to match the role you are applying for, include the name and title of the person hiring for this position. If the job listing does not list the hiring manager’s details, call their main phone number and ask for them. If you are still schooling or a recent graduate, contact the career office in your college to help you find the right person to contact in the company. Your goal is to address the hiring manager personally.
6. Identify the Keywords in the Job Description and Use Them in Your Application
Most hiring managers use software that scans for particular keywords and compares the suitability of the resumes and cover letters to the skills and experience they’re looking for. If your knowledge and skills match what the potential employer is looking for, incorporate the keywords used in the job description in your cover letter. When preparing your cover letter and resume, be keen on;
- Academic requirements
- Experience level required
- Proficiency in a specific software
- Organization and communication skills required
7. Outline Any Areas of Concern in Your Resume
Use the cover letter to address any areas of concern in your resume. For instance, if you have any employment gap, briefly expound on what you’ve been doing to stay current and continuing your professional development.
8. Carefully Go Through Your Cover Letter
The last step in your job application process should be to proofread your resume and cover letter. Check out for grammatical errors or typos. Mistakes in your resume or cover letter can signal carelessness to the hiring manager, which can jeopardize your chances of being shortlisted for an interview. After correcting all possible errors, get an editor to review your application. It will also help if your editor gets a copy of the job posting to match the requirements with your application.
The above points will help you land an interview in your next job application, provided you meet the job requirements. Review them and start applying them in your job applications.