If you are looking for a job and want to quickly establish contact with employers, you need to not only have a high-quality resume but also a stand-out cover letter. This small but very important document helps you make a positive first impression on recruiters and establishes a friendly rapport with them.
A cover letter is an important complement to a resume in that it includes an appeal to the reader and attracts their attention. Unlike a resume, a cover letter can be tailored to the selected job and company to highlight the exact skills you have that the employer needs.
Seven Tips on How to Write a Cover Letter
1. Study the job description in detail.
Often, the employer indicates clear criteria that must be followed in a cover letter. When writing your letter, it is imperative to bear in mind all of these requirements and incorporate them into your composition. By attentively addressing each element, you exhibit a thorough understanding of the expectations and effectively convey your professionalism.
2. Emphasize your skills.
Describe in detail the skills and abilities you possess that will be valuable to the company in the desired position. Give examples to show how you have used these skills in the past.
3. Edit and check your work.
If there are mistakes, typos, and so on, in the letter, your application could be immediately screened out, even if you are ideally suited for the position based on your skills and experience.
4. Be concise.
Break the letter into short paragraphs, and don’t develop any idea for more than two or three sentences. If your cover letter is difficult to read or understand, the employer can easily lose you among the other candidates.
5. Stick to the truth.
You should never deceive or embellish the facts in a cover letter or your resume. Write honestly about your experience and education, as all this can be verified.
6. Describe the benefit you can bring to the company.
Your cover letter should indicate what you can bring to the table by working in this position.
7. Personalize it.
Don’t send identical cover letters to each and every company. Instead, write a unique letter to each employer. While it may demand a bit more of your time, adopting such an approach serves as a testament to your enthusiasm and commitment. By investing the effort to show genuine interest and the seriousness of your intentions, you demonstrate a level of dedication that can leave an indelible impression on prospective employers.
Cover Letter Length
A cover letter should not be too long; keep it no more than a page in length, and preferably between 200–400 words. The body of the text can contain up to 5–7 paragraphs to highlight your main points.
Remember that employers do not have the time to carefully read two pages of text. Therefore, it is necessary to be concise; you must skillfully show your experience in the cover letter in a way that enhances your resume.
Also, a cover letter should not simply duplicate the information in your resume as this renders the letter useless—not to mention wasting the recruiter’s time.
Cover Letter Structure
To make your cover letter both interesting and easy to read, you should follow a clear structure. We also recommend writing an outline before sitting down to pen a cover letter. This allows you to follow a clear writing plan and not lose the logical flow of thought in the text.
When you plan the structure of your cover letter, be sure to include the following sections in order:
1. Contact information.
First and foremost, write your first and last name. Next, provide a number of ways they can contact you. You can include your email and phone numbers as well as more contemporary platforms like instant messaging services and even your professional LinkedIn account.
Additionally, don’t overlook the significance of specifying your current city, as it may pique their interest if you’re local (and therefore available for an in-person interview).
2. The introduction.
When writing a cover letter, pay special attention to the introduction, since its main task is to interest the recruiter or potential employer enough to get them to continue to read the letter through to the end.
An introduction invariably begins with a greeting. Depending on whether you know the recipient, you can use different greetings, such as:
- “Dear Hiring Manager,”
- “Dear Recruiter,”
- “Dear Recruiting Team,”
- “Dear Customer Service,”
We recommend that you clearly specify your goal in the first paragraph of the letter. For example, immediately announce that you are writing about a vacant position. It is also worth noting where you found out about the vacancy. If you are submitting an application on the recommendation of an employee of the company, be sure to mention their name and position as well.
3. The body.
The main body is the most important part of the letter because it reveals your motivation for wanting to work for the company. When writing the body of your cover letter, we recommend you clearly state the reasons you are interested in the vacant position as well as what skills you have that might be suitable for it. Simply put, give multiple reasons why the company should hire you.
A few recommendations on how to write the body of the cover letter include the following:
- Identify and describe your main skills, experience, and achievements that would be useful to the potential employer in the selected position.
- Write briefly, confidently, and persuasively. Remember that you are a professional and just as you need a job, the company needs a qualified employee.
- Avoid overused words like “attentive,” “stress-resistant,” and “competent.” Stick to listing real achievements that characterize you as a real professional.
- When describing your work experience, it is also worth mentioning any lessons learned related to software and presenting them for the benefit of the employer.
4. The conclusion.
The end of the cover letter has one goal: to convince the employer to invite you in for an interview. Here are several techniques that can greatly benefit recruiters as they delve into the depths of your cover letter:
- Indicate that you have attached your resume to the letter.
- Be sure to write that you hope to meet soon.
- Specify several dates when you would be available to communicate with the recruiter in person or by phone. By doing this, you express your intention to cooperate in the future.
- Restate your contact details so they don’t have to go back to the top of the letter to find your email or phone number.
Also, always be sure to end the letter by thanking the reader. Here are the most common ways to do this:
- “Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.”
- “Waiting for your reply. Thank you!”
- “Thank you for your time.”
Example Cover Letter
Each cover letter must be unique and written specifically for the job, which makes it hard to come up with a standard template that will help you land your dream job. However, by adhering to the above principles, honing in on the coveted position, and highlighting your exceptional personal qualities and strengths, you have the power to craft a superior cover letter—one distinguished from the rest and that truly sets you apart from the sea of candidates. Check out this example:
Dear ,
I am excited to apply for the Tech Sales Specialist position at . With a strong tech sales background and a passion for the tech world, I am confident I can contribute to your organization's growth.
I have a track record of exceeding sales targets and driving revenue growth. By effectively articulating the value of complex technological solutions, I have successfully secured lucrative business opportunities and fostered lasting client relationships.
I am dedicated to customer satisfaction, actively listening to clients' needs to provide tailored solutions that address their pain points. My adaptability and problem-solving skills enable me to capitalize on market trends and drive sales growth.
I am drawn to for its commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technological solutions. I am eager to join your company and contribute to your ongoing success.
Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my resume and would welcome the opportunity to talk about how my experience and skills can benefit . I will have an opportunity to talk about this vacancy on June 3, 4, and 7—how about you?
Sincerely,
Conclusion
When it comes to job applications, a cover letter acts as an extraordinary gateway for employers to discover your potential, and it helps you secure the coveted position you've long envisioned.
Should the need arise, seeking assistance from a trusted source to craft a meticulously tailored cover letter can be a wise choice, amplifying your chances of success in pursuit of your dream job. Careerist offers an extensive list of training for entering a tech career that is easy to master. In addition to the important skills and knowledge you’ll need, you will be able to get help writing a resume and a cover letter and passing an interview.
Passionate about the Tech Profession? Dive into the world of Manual Quality Assurance with our comprehensive training. Equip yourself with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the dynamic landscape of Software testing.
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