28 Feb How to craft the perfect cover letter
If there is one thing you have likely heard over and over again when it comes to applying for a job, it is the importance in creating a strong cover letter.
The cover letter is the first impression a potential employer will have of you and your skills, and those impressions count.
Let’s dive into how you can craft the perfect cover letter and land the job you’ve been waiting for:
It’s about them
When it comes to hiring a new employee, employers want someone who can bring something to the company.
They want to know what you have that is unique and distinctive over other candidates that should make them choose you as the best fit for building their business.
At the end of the day, while companies care about their employees, they also care about the bottom line.
Show in your cover letter why you getting the job is about what you can offer to them and how you plan to do that to benefit their business.
Be skill focused
If employers want to see your job history, work experience, or education, they will refer to your resume.
Don’t make the mistake of just repeating what is on your resume in your cover letter.
Instead, take the opportunity to showcase other skills and attributes you have which make you a desirable employee.
Then capitalize on the opportunity to tell them more reasons why they should hire you!
You do you
No matter what your skills are or how well your experience and education matches what the company is looking for in a new employee, a big part of finding the right person is finding the right personality.
Show some of your personality in the cover letter and allow the potential employer to get an understanding of who you are as a person.
It is important for new employees to fit into the company culture and team, and much of this comes down to matching personality traits.
Make it clear that you would be an asset and a fitting member for the company before you even meet your employer.
Back to basics
Regardless of how well your letter is written, it won’t get you anywhere if it is filled with spelling errors or inaccurate information.
Do some work to get your facts straight before you send the letter: confirm the address of your new potential workplace, find out the name of the person whom you should address the letter to, and even check in on the correct spelling of your future company.
Next, do a thorough proofread and editing of your letter and go over it two to three times.
If you are concerned, have someone else edit it as well, as they may pick up on things you missed.
Finally, make sure the letter looks aesthetically pleasing: choose an appropriate font, center the body in the page and simply put in a little extra effort to make your potential new employer like what they are looking at!
Some of these suggestions you may have been aware of and learned before, it is always nice to have a refresher. Now you are well on your way to crafting the perfect cover letter and landing that job!
