Importance of the Cover Letter
Introduction
Your resume is great, cool, but make an equally great cover letter so that you can put the icing on the cake. You should use the document to leverage your skills. There should be no stereotypical cover letter while applying to all recruiters.
Every job has its specific needs and therefore the cover letter should cater to that. Having the same cover letter for all jobs will not make you the suitable candidate for any job. Following are a few tips to look into preparation for that ultimate cover letter.
-Preparing – As for any other letter there is always a purpose for a cover letter. You need to let the company know for which position you are applying. The next aim is enticing them into reading your resume and then giving you an interview call.
There are certain things to consider that for instance you are writing to a professional so your tone of the letter should be professional. There should be absolutely no spelling and grammar errors. There is absolutely no margin space here. Gender specific address should be avoided in the danger of being labeled a sexist.
Learn to read between the lines in any job ad what might be most important to the job might not be mentioned in the lead of the job. If you have a transferable skill or trait and the job requires that so mentioning it in your cover letter is good.
Introducing
The first paragraph of the cover letter covers your reason for writing. It should be suggestively worded along with an unmatched precision. The title of the job and the publication you saw the job in should get a mention in the opening paragraph itself.
The last sentence should show your interest in the opportunity and your wish to excel in it. If you got to know of the job through an employee of the concern then be sure to drop in his name in the opening paragraph.
Listing out things with precision will boost your chances of getting an interview call.
Body
The job ad lists certain job requirements, the body of your letter should list how you satisfy or exceed the requirements enlisted. The recruiter will always be on the look out for the job leads provided in the job ad so it’s your work now to lead the horse to the water.
Using MS word you can insert a table that says on the left side citing ‘your requirements’ and on the right ‘my qualifications’. For emailed letters you should do away with tables etc and get down to listing your basic skills.
The Conclusion
The ending should be as simple as possible, something which states your desire to take up the job and reiterating your confidence in your suitability for it.
It is always good to say that you will contact the person some time later to know the next steps instead of expecting him to contact you. Then follow up the letter at the right time with a call.
Use points in the cover letter that might not have been in the resume and use them as a team to back them up.
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