How To Make Writing Your Cover Letter Easier
If you are not a natural born writer, or even if you are, crafting a killer cover letter can seem hellishly difficult to achieve. Many people make the job more complicated than it actually is, so lets take a look at how to simplify your cover letter writing.
Basically, a good cover letter needs to get across three important things:
- You have the necessary skills to fit the job at hand
- You will seamlessly fit in with their team
So how exactly do you convey these three points in your one page cover letter?
Start out strong and to the point. You need to grab the readers attention, so anything wishy-washy or too vague will be very boring to read and will see your letter consigned to the bin in the first 15 seconds of reading. The first sentences of your letter are the most valuable. Dont beat around the bush here launch straight into why you are perfect for the job.
Here is an example of an attention grabbing introduction:
You are looking for a person who can communicate extremely well on all levels, someone who is self-assured and confident, and can be trusted to work independently or cooperatively within a team. I believe I am the person you need.
Once you have your reader hooked, you can then move on to convincing them that your skills and experience are a perfect fit for the role.
When To Use A Curriculum Vitae
If you are considering positions in academia , you are generally asked to provide a curriculum vitae instead of a resume. Your CV will highlight your scholarly and professional experiences when applying for academic , research positions, academic postdoctoral research opportunities, grants, and fellowships. Keep in mind the purpose is also to have the hiring committee interested in interviewing you. Therefore, be selective in your accomplishments to show you are a strong candidate for the job, department, and institution.
CVs vary from discipline to discipline. It is recommended to reference the CVsof others in your field and have your advisor review them as well. The CV is focused on expertise and provides a complete summary of your academic achievements. The typical CV length is 2-3 pages, with additional pages added to further your career and academic successes.
Standard CV sections include: Education, Teaching Experience, Research Experience, Honors and Awards, Professional/Volunteer Experience, Publications, Presentations, Scholarly/Professional Affiliations, Research Interests, Extracurricular Activities, Licensing/Registration/Certifications, Grants/Fellowships, University Service, Technical Skills, and References.
Exploring The Cover Letter Format
While the basic structure of most cover letters will be similar, there are a myriad of nuances in;how to format a cover letter. We will explore the cover letter format in great detail together over the remainder of the blog, but to start with, here is an example of a cover letter format that has been broken into individual components:
- Header
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The Informal Cover Letter
The informal cover letter is an optional introduction to your resume if the job posting doesn’t require a formal cover letter. This letter is short but professional and usually includes a greeting with a simple body paragraph that explains your interest in the company and your experience. Close the letter with a reference to the attachments you have included such as your resume, portfolio or writing samples.
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What Kind Of Information Should Appear In The Cover Letter
First of all, information that is not included in the CV. A cover letter is a way to argue why they should hire a person like you. The recruiter must clearly see what he or she will gain by selecting the candidate. Professional success and skills will be appreciated here.
How did you improve the process? How did you increase sales or reduce costs? Such information is extremely important and should be taken into account.
It can be described as follows:
As a sales representative, I have generated a 40% increase in sales of my products over the past year. I would like to use the knowledge I have gained in the field of the latest sales techniques and many years of professional experience at your company as well.
Application documents can be compared to a commercial offer that we present to a selected company. Just as individual offers focus on the specific advantages of the product or service that the customer expects, the content of the letter should be individually tailored to the requirements set by the recruiter, related to a specific position. We should write about the company’s expectations from us and include concrete examples and values.
More information on how to write a good cover letter, ready examples/samples, useful phrases and words to use in a cover letter.
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Top Cover Letter Tips
Your cover letter should always be accurate and professional. Never submit your cover letter without giving it a second look. Check for grammar and spelling errors and make sure youve included all the right contact information at the top of your letter. You dont want to miss out on a job opportunity because you accidentally missed a digit in your phone number or spelled your email address wrong!
Another good tip for cover letters is to highlight your skills with carefully selected keywords. These words will jump out at the prospective employer and tell them exactly what your strengths are. Use words that are easily understood and simple, like organized, experienced, and professional. Keep it simple so your cover letter will be easy to read and understand. Many hiring managers are busy and have a lot to go through, so theyll appreciate a short and sweet cover letter. Try to keep the whole thing to one page.
The right cover letter will improve your chances of getting noticed at a prestigious company. You can stand out from the other applicants if you use the right formatting and keywords. Using the right tools and tips will help you get the position you are truly qualified for. Whether you are a teacher, an accountant, or a recent graduate looking for anything, the right cover letter will get you started.
Is Zety Cover Letter Builder Free
Zety cover letter builder is free to make a cover letter. The app follows the try before you buy credoyou pay once youre satisfied with the results. Downloading a printable cover letter as a pdf or MS Word .doc file from Zety costs just 2.99 USD for two-week access. Pricing may vary depending on the plan and subscription.
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Cv Cover Letter Examples To Get That Job
You know when you see it the job that fits your skill set perfectly, the one at a great company with amazing benefits, the career move that would have numerous professional advantages. Our CV cover letter examples are designed to get you that job. After all, why settle for anything less?
Youve spent years crafting your CVto make sure it perfectly captures your milestones and achievements. Now, its time to write a cover letter that gives your CV its best chance at impressing a hiring manager and landing a job. With our CV cover letter samples, you can be confident you have the most up-to-date information and specific, relevant advice to make your cover letter stand out no matter how large the applicant pool.
How To Start A Cover Letter
A cover letter starts with three main elements: the header, the cover letter greeting and the cover letter introduction. Each of these elements has their own purpose and function, which we will discuss in more detail below.
If you are sitting there staring at a blank screen wondering; how to start a cover letter;, you can take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. There will definitely be a few pressing questions at the front of your mind about how to begin:
- What do I put in the cover letter header section?
- How to write a cover letter greeting?
- What should I include in the introduction?
- What tone of voice should my cover letter adopt?
- How can I make sure it is relevant for the job description?
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Customize Your Header Based On Your Application Format
If youre writing your cover letter directly within an online job application, theres no need to include your address or other contact information, as youve probably already typed that into other areas of the application form. If youre including your cover letter as an attachment, you can use the same heading as your resume.
Cover Letter Examples And Templates
It can be beneficial to look at cover letter examples when writing your own. A sample can help you decide what to include in your letter, and show you how to format it.
This collection of free, professionally written cover letters will help you get started writing your own letters.
Below you’ll find both hard copy and email samples and templates, for a variety of different types of employment inquiries and job applications, including general cover letters, cold contact cover letters, referral letters, customized cover letters, job promotion letters, networking outreach letters, and letters to inquire about unadvertised openings.
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Start By Choosing The Right Resume Format
A format is the style and order in which you display information on your resume. There are three commonly-used resume formats you can choose from depending on which is right for you: Chronological , functional or a combination.
A chronological resume format places the professional history section first and is a good option if you have a rich professional work history with no gaps in employment.
1. Name and contact information2. Summary or objective4. Educational history5. Skills and abilities
The functional resume format emphasizes the skills section and is a good option if you are switching industries or have some gaps in your work history.
1. Name and contact information2. Summary3. Skills grouped by theme4. Any relevant professional experience5. Education
The combinationresume format is a good option if you have some professional experience, where both skills and work history are equally important.
Share Relevant Skills And Experience
Write about your skills and experiences that match the job requirements in the body paragraphs of your letter. For instance, if you are writing about an accounting role that requires knowledge of a specific bookkeeping software program, then you should write about a time when you have used the same or similar software to work on a successful project. Every skill or experience you include in your cover letter should tie directly back to a job requirement.
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The Keys To An Outstanding Cover Letter
When applying to various jobs, experienced job seekers know that the resume is only part of the package. The other part is the message that comes either in paper form or, more recently, in e-mail form. We’re referring to the cover letter, an art form that has been neglected by far too many job hunters. Putting all of your effort into your resume and ignoring the introductory message that accompanies it is a costly mistake. If you understand the keys to crafting an outstanding cover letter, there’s no need to be left in the dust in the race to find gainful employment.
The second key is use an attention-getter or “grabber.” Hiring managers see the same phrases and sentences over and over. Imagine how many times they hear somebody claiming to be a “self-starter” or a “people person.” Your objective should be to stand out from the crowd and grab the hiring manager’s attention within the first few sentences. An example would be: “Your company is a leader in the marketplace but it needs a sales manager who can put this company over the top. I am that sales manager.” Yes, that’s a bold statement, but at least it’s unique. One can imagine the hiring manager calling someone just to see if he or she can back up such an assertion. Any callback is a good callback, even if it’s done out of curiosity. You might be surprised at how a bit of curiosity can turn into real interest and eventually a hire.
How To End A Cover Letter
The conclusion of your cover letter is your call to action. Rather than limp to an uninspiring finish, it is vital that you put as much thought into;how to end a cover letter;as you do into the introduction and the middle part.
- There are multiple sentiments on which you may wish to end.
- It is important to get the tone right to finish on the right note.
- How do you want the hiring manager to feel after the cover letter ending?
- There is no shame in saying that you are looking forward to an interview.
- What can I use instead of sincerely or best regards?
1. Make sure that the characteristics fit the role that you will be doing
I am a committed team player, a meticulous planner and detail freak. I cringe at the possibility of committing an error.
2. Paint a picture of what it is like to work with you
When I create a physical therapy care plan with a player, I make sure that it is comprehensively tailored towards their needs. You cannot do this without an intensely personal and compassionate approach and as such I still feel a part of the wider team. It is like being back on the field again.
After the middle part of the cover letter has laid out the persuasive arguments and the bullets have outlined the undeniably impressive facts, the conclusion offers a final opportunity to describe some of your more personal characteristics.;
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Write Informative Relevant Body Paragraphs
Next, its time to make a convincing argument youre the right person for the job by discussing your experiences, skills, and achievements that are relevant to the position.
In one or two paragraphs plus bullet points , show the reader that you easily fit the needs outlined in the job description.
For job seekers withwork experience
Hiring managers will look closely at your cover letter for evidence that youre qualified and worth considering for the position. Use your recent work history and achievements to prove that you have the skills to get the job done.
Here are some things to include in your cover letter that highlight your value to an employer:
- Professional achievements: Did you exceed targets for production, sales, revenue, profit, customer satisfaction, or any other business objectives?
- Professional praise: Have you received compliments from management or colleagues for your work?
- Professional awards: Have you received awards for your work, like Employee of the Month?
In the following examples, weve color-coded the achievements, praise, and awards with underlining to show you how to include each:
Body paragraph example
Ive been praised by management for consistently executing email marketing campaigns that perform 20% higher than baseline. In 2019, I was awarded Employee of the Year for my efforts. With my skill set, Id be a strong asset at Westward Strategies, and significantly contribute to the teams success.
Body paragraph, achievements-focused
Review Resume Writing Techniques
A resume includes information on your education, work history, and skills. Get started writing your resume by creating a list of your accomplishments in each job that you have held.
From there, you can decide which details are most important to highlight and work on phrasing information in a way that will get the attention of both hiring managers and searchable databases. These resume writing techniques will help you write an interview-winning resume.
There are power words you can use to enhance your resume, and there are others that won’t make a good impression. Write your resume so it focuses on the attributes that best qualify you for the job.
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General Cover Letter Template
Looking for a standard cover letter that works for any job application? Our general cover letter template follows the traditional cover letter format, but wont sound generic to employers.
Copy the free sample below into Microsoft Word, and fill in the blanks with your skills and experience. This cover letter template has helped thousands of job seekers land employment across every industry.
Free Professional Cover Letter Templates For Word
Professional cover letter templates for Word are essential when you have to look your best.
Each of the links above will whisk you to a step-by-step guide. Click to see how to turn a cover letter template into a job-getting cover letter of your own.
Expert Hint: Writing a professional cover letter can be daunting. Luckily, we have a selection of cover letter writing guides for dozens of professions.
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What Should I Include
What you should make sure to include in your cover letter is your previous experience that directly relates to the job that you are applying for. This instantly shows the employer that they have a candidate that can hit the ground running.
Remember to keep your cover letter short and sweet. You dont want to overload the employer with too much information, especially if it repeats what they will find in your resume. Three to five paragraphs is sufficient, but make sure each paragraph is targeted to a different aspect of your application.
Go through the job description and search for key words and phrases. This is what the employer is looking for in a candidate, so you should make your cover letter answer their requests. If they want a candidate with sales experience, tell them in your cover letter that you have sales experience.