How to Write a Cover Letter
A cover letter is a customised statement that precedes your resume or CV. While the other two focus on your qualifications and experiences, a cover letter explains how those qualifications align with a particular job, making it highly specific. It operates as an opportunity to directly showcase your personality, soft skills, and enthusiasm to the hiring manager. A cover letter helps set you apart from other candidates because this document is personalised according to your characteristics. A strong cover letter is your ultimate tool to land an interview. You demonstrate your interest in the company, a particular team or position to prove that you are the perfect candidate.
Although a cover letter is important, online discourse around it suggests that it is a daunting and confusing task for people. Hence, we are going to simplify and understand how one can write a cover letter to the best of their potential.
Components of a Cover Letter:
Header
•Name: Although this might seem like a no brainer, the most common mistake made by people when writing cover letters is not including their full name. Make sure the first thing on visible on your cover letter is your full professional name in bold letters.
•Contact: Right below your name, add contact and demographic details such as; professional number, email, location (city, country) and finally add in a link that redirects to your LinkedIn.
•Date: To show professionalism make sure to include the date of the cover letter. Keep in mind, it is better to put the date of submission here so that your cover letter seems updated.
Greeting
•Here, you can take two routes: either research about the company and directly use the hiring manager’s name only if you are absolutely sure, or just address them as- Dear Hiring Manager. Refrain from using gendered language if you are unaware about their identity.
Introduction
•First impressions: The first line of your cover letter is your elevator pitch; this will be the first thing that grabs the reader’s attention. Make sure to be precise and compelling with your opening line and tie in your qualifications with the required job description.
•Job Position: mention the position you are applying for as a hiring manager may be looking at multiple job applications. Follow this up directly by a brief introduction to your previous relevant experiences. Additionally, you can mention where you heard about this company from, for example, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.
Content Body
•Focus on your qualifications: Make a customised summary of at least two of your previous relevant experiences, add highlights of each one, relevant projects or any achievements you are proud of.
•Refer to the Job Description: From the job description provided by the company, pick out significant keywords and tailor them into your cover letter. Today a lot of companies use Applicant Tracking System and this system recognises common keywords, increasing your chances of securing an interview.
•Demonstrative Approach: It is beneficial to have a show don’t tell approach when designing a cover letter. Don’t simply list your skills and qualifications but provide specific examples of how and when you demonstrated a particular skill. Using action verbs is of importance here.
•Paragraph structure is your best friend: Break your content up into paragraphs based on skill or experience mentioned. This provides structure to your cover letter and makes it look more cohesive and readable.
Conclusion
Before closing off, write a concluding paragraph, reiterating your interest in the company and show off your eagerness and enthusiasm to work there.
Thank the reader for their time and consideration and end on a call for action tone. Mention how you are looking forward to hear back from them.
Closing
Close your cover letter with ending salutations such as, Best Regards, Sincerely, etc. followed by your professional name or signature.
An effective cover letter establishes a good impression for you, right off the bat and can be your pathway into a company. Hence it is of utmost importance that one does not downplay its value.