A cover letter is a great way to add a little something extra to a job application, it can help persuade hiring managers of your suitability for a role and encourage them to progress your application. If written well, a personalised cover letter can make a significant difference to your job search. Here are 7 simple ways to write a cover letter that will help you land your next job!
Read the job description thoroughly
It’s essential that you read the job description thoroughly before you write your cover letter! Failure to do this will make your letter impersonal and, potentially, irrelevant to the role you’re applying for!
Personalise
It’s important not to use the same generic cover letter for each application. A generalised cover letter will show the employer that you’ve not put any effort into your application. It’s really easy to personalise your cover letter, little details, such as who you address your letter to, can make a big impact on your applications. For example, if you know the name of the hiring manager, address your letter to them rather than using a stock ‘Dear, Sir/Madam’.
Research
Carrying out some research on the type of job you’re applying for and the company will help you to personalise your cover letter more effectively and ensure what you write it relevant to the industry.
Focus on the job role not the salary!
When you’re describing why you decided to apply for the role it’s important that you don’t just focus on the salary! Stating that you’re interested for the position because it pays well will show a lack of interest in the actual job itself and can seriously harm your chance of landing the role. Instead, focus on different elements of the role that appeal to you.
Don’t just focus on yourself
Although a cover letter is designed to persuade an employer that you’re the best candidate, it’s important that your letter isn’t just a series of paragraphs detailing why you’re a great person. Describe why it is that you want to work for the company and what it is that interests you about the role, this will help to show a genuine enthusiasm towards the job you’re applying for.
Proof Read
Before you send a cover letter it’s really important that you proof read your work! Bad spelling grammar will show lack of attention to detail and may harm your employment prospects. Try getting a friend of family member to read through your letter before you submit it to ensure you haven’t made any silly mistakes.
Keep it Short and Sweet
Your cover letter shouldn’t be more than a page long, any longer and it’s likely to be overlooked by a hiring manager! Don’t just replicate your CV in your cover letter; if you have described a particular skill or experience in your CV you don’t need to repeat it! This will help you limit your word count and ensure your cover letter is to the point and persuasive.
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