Cover Letter Writing

Introduction

No one loves to job hunt and scour through online job listings, preparing for gruelling interviews, spiffing up the resume and not at all fun. However, the most challenging part for many applicants is the process of effective cover letter writing. It is hard to know where to start as there's so much conflicting advice.

How to start cover letter writing?

First, do your research

Before you begin composing, discover more with regards to the organization and the particular work you need. You should carefully read the expected job description, yet additionally scrutinize the organization's website, its executives' Twitter channels, and representative profiles on LinkedIn. This research will assist you with customizing your introductory letter since you should not send a conservative one. It'll likewise help you with settling on the right tone.

Concentrate it on the future

While your list of skills is intended to look back at your experience and where you have been, the cover letter writing should focus on the future and what you need to do. It may be useful to consider the stage between the past and the future that discloses what you desire to do next and why. Because of the pandemic, there is less of an assumption that you'll apply for a job that you've done earlier. There are a huge number of individuals who are making career changes- voluntarily or involuntarily. Thus, it is important to turn and reconsider how their range of expertise identifies with an alternate job or industry. You can utilize your cover letter writing to clarify the shift you're making, maybe from hospitality to marketing. Count it as a chance to sell your transferrable expertise.

Open with a strong line

It is a waste when people usually write themselves into the letter with I'm applying for X job that I saw in Y place, instead of leading with a strong opening sentence. Instead, you can start with a punch line, like why the job is exciting and what will you bring to the table. 

There can be chances that the recruiter or hiring manager is reading a pile of resumes, and your resume catches their attention. Also, being funny is not allowed as humour often fall flat or sound self-regarding. Always be direct and dynamic, and if you have a personal connection with someone in the company, you can also mention it in the first paragraph.

Emphasize your value

Hiring managers or recruiters look for people who can help them and the company solve problems. You may also mention how the pandemic affected the industry or business and explain how your experience has prepared you to meet those requirements. Additionally, explain how you solved a similar issue earlier or share a relevant accomplishment. Two skills relevant to any job are adaptability and the ability to learn quickly; thus, if you possess these skills, brief about those examples. 

Convey Enthusiasm

It is a misconception that people do not get hired. After all, they lack skills because people do not believe the story. Recruiters or hiring managers mainly select the candidate who has made it seem like this is their dream job, thus making it clear why you want the position is important.

Watch the cover letter writing tone

Do not go flattery or overboard or say anything you do not mean to say since authenticity is important. Even if you have been on a break or out of work for a few months, and taken up any job, avoid sounding desperate. It is because you do not want the tone of the resume to undermine your credibility, thus be mature and professional. A good thumb rule is to put in place the recruiter and think about the kind of language that the recruiter would use with the organization's customers. Since it can be hard to discern your tone in cover letter writing, ask someone to review it and cut it down if something sounds desperate.

Keep it short

Almost everyone advises the cover letter to be on a page, but even shorter is better. It should be brief enough so that anyone can read it at a glance. You will have to cover a lot of ground, but it should be brief. In this situation, take the help of a former colleague, friend, mentor to review and ask them to read thoroughly and point out places where you can cut.

Get Feedback

It is always good to share your cover letter writing with a few people who can catch your flaws and make it even more attractive. So ask for specific feedback and request two things. First, ask them if the cover letter is clear and what your main point is, what is the story you are attempting to tell and if they can summarize it. The second thing is to ask them what is wrong with the cover letter and where the tone is desperate and off.

Principles to Remember

Do: 

Have a strong opening statement in your cover letter writing that makes the reader clear why you want the job and what you can bring to the company.

The cover letter should be brief and to the point so that the hiring manager can read it at a glance.

Share an accomplishment that portrays how you can address the challenges the employer and the company is facing.

Don't:

Try to be funny- too often, it falls flat.

Instead, send a generic cover letter and customize each cover letter for the specific job.

Go overboard with flattery instead, be professional and mature.

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