The world has become digital, and writing a cover letter to accompany your resume is necessary. Some job seekers treat their cover letter as an afterthought, while some do not even bother including a cover letter.
A cover letter introduces you to your prospective employer. You can use a cover letter to showcase your technical and people skills while making a great first impression. Considering the importance of a cover letter, we discuss tips for writing an effective one.
Your cover letter should be readable and attractive. Always use clear fonts like Arial or Helvetica. It is advisable to use the same font style and size in your resume and cover letter for consistency.
Ideally, cover letters should be a single page. Hiring managers do not want to read multiple pages of a cover letter. Moreover, it comes off as rambling or bragging. Your cover letter should be short, clear, and concise - 250 to 450 words or three to four paragraphs is enough.
Every company has its requirements and challenges. When writing your cover letter, ensure it addresses the company's challenges and how you can overcome them. In addition, explain how your job can fit into the company's long-term goals. Writing tailored cover letters portrays you as a thoughtful candidate to your prospective employers.
In your cover letter's introduction, directly address your hiring manager by name. It is advisable to research the company's website or LinkedIn if the hiring manager's name is not on the job posting.
Most hiring managers won't read beyond the first few sentences of a cover letter, except it is worth their time. When writing your cover letter, establish your relevant experience and professional skills from the beginning. You should further explain how your skillset is relevant to the position.
The job level you are writing for determines your writing tone. Understandably, entry-level positions may lack relevant work experience; therefore, your writing tone should be enthusiastic while showing your adaptability and highlighting your personality.
On the other hand, the tone when applying for a senior position is much more different. In this case, your tone should be professional and express how well qualified you are for the role. As a corporate professional, your qualifications are essential than your enthusiasm.
Your cover letter should indicate if you have a reference working in the company. Studies show that employers consider employee referrals in sourcing for good hires. If you don't know anybody working there, including where you discovered the job listing in your cover letter is ideal.
Your resume clearly and carefully outlines your experience, education, and accomplishments. On the other hand, your cover letter should expand on your resume and explain how your experience is relevant to the hiring company. However, you should avoid repeating the content of your resume.
It is best practice to detail some of your accomplishments, explain how the experience can solve problems in the company, and demonstrate expertise by discussing current issues in your field.
Hiring managers prefer candidates that will fit into their work culture. You can check out a company's social media pages and its websites to learn about its culture. Afterward, tailor your cover letter's language and tone to reflect the company's values and beliefs.
The covid-19 pandemic has changed the workplace, and most firms work online. Your cover letter should show that you can work remotely. Mentioning something you've achieved at your workplace when working remotely can convince your employer that you can deliver results.
Your cover letter is an introduction to your prospective employer. After following the tips discussed above, you can close your cover letter by requesting an interview. Also, do not forget to include your contact details.
At FSS staffing, we connect employees to employers. We have a large talent pool cross-industry. You can check out our jobs board or contact us for more information about what we do.