Your cover letter increases the chances of landing a dream job if it only serves the purpose. Sometimes there is a view that there is no need to write a letter because no one reads it anyway.
So do you need a cover letter?
Sometimes it could be true but a Cover letter can be a deal breaker. If Recruitment Managers received loads of amazing applications and the majority have included a cover letter, it could be a good way to rule you out. It will increase the chances of you getting a job interview especially when you are at early stage in your career.
Cover letter is what makes you help to stand out if you can’t boast loads of experience and achievements. Cover letter also helps you to provide additional information that you can’t include in your CV and it is an opportunity to add some flair of your personality.
There are different views and opinions on how cover letters should look like and sometimes it depends on individual person whoever reads it. Let’s discuss the length.
How long should your Cover letter be?
Ideally it should be between 1-2 pages. If you have an extensive work experience it is good to include longer 2 page letter. If you are at early stage of your career, it should be one page. No need to write your life story. No need to overcompensate for your lack of experience by rambling or simply repeat the same information in your CV.
Write as much as you want in your first draft, and then keep editing until all of your schooling, work experience, and skills are neatly highlighted in well-written paragraphs on a single page. If you can’t decide what info should stay and what should be deleted, ask a friend or family member to help you edit it.
Now let’s discuss the content.
Is your cover letter personalized?
Have a quick read – does the language in the cover letter sound generic?
“I’m interested in THE ROLE because I’d love to work in your company…” If you start with this sentence, thousands of other applicants also start exactly the same. Be more creative. Being creative is not easy and it takes time. Sometimes I saw many times that people even forgot to change the name of the company and the name of the role.
Take your time to think how you can come up with attention grabbing sentence that reflects you. Keep writing and try different versions. Don’t Google for ideas and copy the first “attention grabbing sentence” into your letter. Guess what? Millions of other applicants are probably doing the same.
Writing a cover letter for each individual company that you apply to is definitely time-consuming. But it will increase your chance to get a job. Take the time to write a meaningful cover letter for each company that you apply for.
Be bold.
Never start your covering letter by emphasizing what you don’t have unless you use some creative twist to it to stand out. For example never say “Although I don’t have much experience … I am a good learner”.
You never want to tell a potential employer that you’re not completely qualified for the job. Instead, you’ll want to use this document to prove that you are a strong contender for the position.
Focus instead on the experience you do have and how you can add value to the company. Don’t downplay your volunteer work, unpaid work, fundraising you did at your child’s school or any start-up you tried. All of that counts as experience.
Do the following exercise. Highlight your 3 main skills or experiences. Think how you can present this creatively and add some of your personality and flair and enthusiasm.
Focus on what you bring and why company needs you
How are you going to help this company achieve its goals? What anecdotes from your experience can convince HM you can make a real impact? Focus more on why the company needs you and less on why you need the company.
Also View Other Useful Tips Here
See Also : Seven Resume Tricks
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