How to Write a Powerful Cover Letter – One That Gets Results
There’s a shortage of smart, hard-working porofessionals, making it a good time to be looking for a job. However, if you haven’t searched for a long time, you might be overwhelmed by the many steps involved in the process, including writing a cover letter.
The bad news? Hiring managers spend, on average, less than 10 seconds scanning through cover letters. This means your’s has to pack a punch. The good news? With a few simple steps and some time and effort, you can write a powerful cover letter that lands you an interview. Here are some ways to get started.
What to Focus On In Your Cover Letter
When you’re writing your cover letter, there are two main areas to keep in mind:
- 1) Why you’re a fit for the job or the organization
- 2) The specific value you can offer to the potential employer
The last thing hiring manager wants to see is another generic cover letter copied and pasted from the Internet. Instead, they want to know what makes you unique and why they should consider you over other candidates.
6 Tips for Writing a Great Cover Letter
As you’re looking for job leads and polishing your resume, you should also be crafting your cover letter. Each one will need to be tailored to the job opening. But generally, you can write one main template and then customize it as you apply to different jobs.
Some other strategies for a crafting a compelling cover letter include:
Tip #1: If you can, address it to a specific person.
Rather than writing “To whom it may concern,” try to find out the name of the hiring manager. This grab the attention of the hiring manager and help your cover letter stand out.
Tip #2: Don’t rewrite your resume.
Your cover letter can be a little less formal than your resume and can tell a story, give examples, bring your personality to life, or explain why you’re a fan of the company and what you can bring to the table. It should not be a duplicate of your resume.
Tip #3: Keep your letter clear and succinct.
Hiring managers often glance over the opening paragraph and go right to the heart of the letter. So, don’t spend hours trying to come up with the perfect opener.
Instead, simply state why you’re writing, the job title you’re interested in, and why you’re a great fit for the role. In the body of your letter, use clear, straightforward language and keep it short; no more than 3-4 paragraphs.
Tip #4: Avoid focusing too much on you.
Focus more on what you can do for the company, not what you’re looking to get from them. Hiring managers know you want a rewarding job with competitive pay and benefits. Instead, discuss the unique attributes, your track record of success, or how you can achieve positive results for the company.
Tip #5: Don’t use flowery language.
Skip words like “team player,” “results-driven,” and “detail-oriented.” These don’t communicate much to the hiring manager. Rather, get specific with examples that illustrate how you’re an excellent collaborator or the tangible results you’ve achieved. That said, don’t write a long-winded letter. Pick one or two specific situations that are most relevant to the job.
Tip #6: Format it properly.
Your cover letter should be just one page and the point size for the font should be 10 or more. Make sure you also use the same font you did for your resume, so they’re visually cohesive.
Need More Help Landing a New Job in Phoenix?
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