MY CAREER
Make Your Cover Letter
S t and Out! W
hen applying in today’s market, applicants are generally required to submit resumes. However, many applicants often forget to (or even decide not to!) submit a cover letter. Cover letters are an integral part of the hiring process because they allow the employer to get to know you on a more personal level than a resume does. Writing a cover letter can be difficult, but below are a few tips to make things easier and ensure that you letter stands out. Don’t Copy Your Resume Reiterating information already in your resume is not going to convince the employer to contact you. Instead, emphasize your special skills and abilities. The cover letter is an opportunity for your employer to know your personal and professional background. Cover letters should be more about your story and less about the facts of your career.
By Anthony Lai
Focus on You The cover letter should focus on why you are the ideal candidate for the position. Describe what you can bring to the organization that other applicants cannot. Demonstrate your talent by explaining your work achievements and highlight your experience with specifics. “To Whom” is Definitely your Concern Do whatever is possible to find out the hiring individual’s name and contact information. You are writing a letter and it should be addressed to a person, not “To Whom it May Concern.” At the very least, you need to mention the job position and company’s name somewhere in your letter. Change it Up A common mistake that applicants make is using the same cover letter for different jobs. Customize your cover letter according the job duties and company to which you’re applying.
Be specific in regard to job requirement and why you are qualified. Do not let your cover letter be a generic statement of interest. Keep it Short The cover letter should be a single page. You want to get your point across quickly; if it takes you more than five minutes to read your own letter, it’s too long. No employer is going to call you if they grow bored reading about you. Remember, having a cover letter helps you control the narrative in candidate selection. Oftentimes a good cover letter can put you on top of the must-hire list … and that’s where you want to be. MV
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