Have you ever wondered why a cover letter is so important?
It’s your first chance to make a personal connection with a potential employer. A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from your competition and open the door to new opportunities.
Remember, your cover letter is more than just a formality—it’s a powerful tool for showcasing your unique skills and personality.
Why does a cover letter matter?
Honestly, most of the time, your cover letter will not be reviewed.
Yet, employers love seeing cover letters because of two reasons: You care and You went the extra step.
First, you care – when you care about the job, position, employer, and you accompany your application with a cover letter it means you are excited and interested in the company and role. BUT, recruiters and hiring managers have see too many generic cover letters. They hate, HATE, generic cover letters because they know you don’t care about the company and you are essentially ruining your reputation with them.
It is better to not submit a cover letter than to submit a generic cover letter.
Second, you went the extra step – By investing time in creating a cover letter it leaves an impression. You researched the company, you researched the contact person, you know their mission and how you can make your contribution to the company goals. ALL will come up in the interview, but when you create a personalized cover letter they will see your effort. They will appreciate the extra time and effort you made to make them important. Regardless of the recruitment process, they’ll remember you.
What to include in a cover letter?
What to include in your personalized cover letter is the hardest part of creating one. And most of us, myself included, will postpone creating one until the last moment or not bother with it because it feels intimidating. Following these steps will make it easier:
Opening Paragraph: Grab Their Attention
Your opening paragraph should immediately capture the reader’s interest. But how do you do that?
Start with a statement about the company, position, and your qualification. Think about this as your one liner of why you’re a good fit for the position. This’ll get their attention and excited about reading more. Mention the job title (reference number if possible) and company name to personalize your letter. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role.
Adding a touch of enthusiasm can also make your introduction pop.
For example, you might share brief anecdote about a moment or experience that inspired you to pursue this career path. This not only conveys your passion but also builds a connection with the reader, making them eager to learn more about you. Remember, the goal is to make the employer want to keep reading, so be authentic and let your personality shine through.
Example: I am thrilled to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company], a company I have long admired for its [innovative approach and commitment to excellence]. With a strong background in [your field or expertise], I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to your team. My recent experience with [relevant experience or achievement] has further fueled my passion for this career path, and I am eager to bring my skills and enthusiasm to [Company].
Middle Paragraphs: Showcase Your Skills and Experience
In the middle sections, delve into your skills and experiences. What makes you a perfect fit for the job? Highlight specific achievements and how they relate to the position. Use bullet points if necessary to emphasize key points. Remember, this is your opportunity to show how your previous experiences have prepared you for this new role. Begin by identifying the core skills and experiences that align with the job description. Highlight these in a way that directly connects them to the needs of the organization.
For example:
- Demonstrated Leadership: In my previous role as a project manager at [Previous Company], I successfully led a team of 10 in developing a new product line, which resulted in a 20% increase in sales within the first quarter. This experience honed my leadership and strategic planning skills, which I am eager to bring to [Company].
- Innovative Problem-Solving: While working as a software developer, I identified an inefficiency in our system that was causing delays. I spearheaded a project to redesign the workflow, reducing processing time by 30%. This achievement not only enhanced our team’s productivity but also strengthened my analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Effective Communication: At [Another Company], I coordinated cross-departmental meetings to streamline communication between teams. This initiative improved project delivery times and fostered a more collaborative work environment.
Use specific examples like these to paint a vivid picture of your contributions. Ensure each point relates to how you can add value to the prospective employer. This not only demonstrates your capability but also your proactive nature and dedication to achieving results. This should not be a repetition of your resume, but 2-3 most salient information that will entice the reader (employer) to continue reading and affirming your qualifications for the next role.
Closing Paragraph: Seal the Deal
Your closing paragraph should be a call to action. Invite the reader to contact you for an interview. Express your enthusiasm once again and thank them for considering your application. A positive ending leaves a lasting impression.
Example: I am eager to discuss how my background, skills, and enthusiasm align with the goals of [Company]. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team and am confident that my experiences will allow me to bring valuable insights and energy to [Company]. I can be contacted at [Email] and [Phone number].
Thank you for considering my application; I look forward to the possibility of working together to achieve great success.
Tips for making your cover letter shine
Keep It Concise
Your cover letter shouldn’t be more than one page, ideally less than ¾ of a page. This shows your ability to stay concise while recognizing you understand the priorities of the role and your alignment. Concise writing is key to keeping your reader engaged. Focus on quality, not quantity.
Personalize Each Letter
It’s easy to fall into the trap of sending the same cover letter to multiple employers. But wouldn’t you want to feel special if you were the hiring manager?
Tailor each letter to the specific job and company. Mention the company’s values or recent achievements to show you’re genuinely interested. This way the reader knows that you went the extra steps and you care about the role.
Use a Professional Tone
While it’s important to be personable, maintaining a professional tone is crucial. Avoid using slang or overly casual language. Think of your cover letter as your professional handshake—firm, confident, and respectful.
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread
Have you ever sent an important email and later noticed a typo? It happens to the best of us! Proofreading is essential. Take the time to review your letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. Consider asking a friend or colleague to review it as well. A fresh set of eyes can catch mistakes you might have missed. Consider using an AI writing tool to get you started in the process.
Think before writing your cover letter
Now that you know what to include and how to polish your cover letter, are you ready to start writing?
Set aside some quiet time to focus on crafting your letter. Drafting a few versions to see which one feels the most authentic will help you as you reflect on your strengths and your alignment to the role.
Reflect on Your Strengths
Before you start writing, take a moment to reflect on your strengths. Reflect on the types of positions you’re applying for and prioritize 3-5 accomplishment you want to highlight before you start writing your resume.
The time you invest in your reflections will make the process a lot easier so you aren’t swayed by a new accomplishment you want to discuss in the cover letter. This is not the time or place for it – because, it’s reactionary and it’ll delay and confuse your writing.
- What skills do you bring to the table for this role?
- How have your past experiences shaped you?
- Why this company, department, role?
Reflecting on these questions can help you articulate your value more clearly. Avoid the desire to change your accomplishments for each role. The reason to focus on 3-5 accomplishments is because the same stories can be recycled in a different tone to highlight pertinent skills for the specific company and role.
Draft and Revise
Writing is a process. Your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. Focus on getting your ideas down, then refine your letter through revisions. Each pass will bring you closer to a polished, compelling cover letter.
Ideally, you’ll want each draft to be reviewed at least 3 times before you submit, first create the draft. Take 2 hours break and review and edit. Then sleep on it and review it for the third time.
Stay Positive and Patient
Remember, writing a great cover letter takes time and effort. Stay positive and be patient with yourself. Each letter you write is a step towards achieving your career goals.
Don’t put too much pressure on hearing back, this is something you cannot control. Focus on the effort you’re making in application package, that is what you have control over, and start networking with people within the company.
Seeking support
Writing a cover letter might seem daunting at first, but with practice and patience, it can become a rewarding experience. Not to mention, it’s good preparation for your interview with the company. The research you do during the cover letter can be referenced when you are called in for the interview. So, keeping track of the cover letter is crucial.
Each letter is an opportunity to express who you are and what you bring to the table. So, take a deep breath, embrace the process, and trust in your ability to create something wonderful. Incorporating these tips and techniques can transform your cover letter from a simple document into a compelling narrative that showcases your unique abilities. For most, cover letters are more challenging than writing a resume because it requires us to prioritize what we believe the employer will value and this is where a coach can help.
A coach can provide objective insights into the employer’s perspective and offer invaluable insights that take the guess work out of highlighting your cover letters. If you’re interested in discussing your cover letter, or coaching sessions to make the career journey easier, schedule a consultation.
