The cover letter is your first, and maybe only, opportunity to make a strong first impression on your prospective employer. As a result, it is an important tactic in getting an employer to study your resume. Think of it as bait to hook the reader. As a result, avoid sending cover letters packed with typos and grammatical problems. The fundamental purpose of a cover letter, when combined with your resume, is to successfully land an interview. The second purpose is to communicate the “intangibles” that are not immediately apparent from the facts on your resume; therefore, it should be written in a direct, humble tone that expresses your genuine intent. You can search for a cover letter sample online to get a better understanding as regards the specifics and technicalities. With that said, here are five general guidelines to follow while writing your cover letter:
Do Not Just Replicate Your Resume
Your cover letter should not be an exact replica of your resume. The cover letter is an opportunity to show how your previous experience might assist your prospective company now. The second paragraph of your letter should clarify how your qualifications and experience meet their needs. The first few phrases should showcase your achievements. Do not make a claim about your accomplishments if you cannot back it up with evidence. It cannot just be your opinion.
Consider Your Employer’s Perspective
Never lose sight of the letter’s intended audience or the reason for writing it: it should be employer-focused. In your opening paragraph, you must respond to the employer’s implicit questions quickly and concisely. Then, be prepared to answer any additional questions that may be asked of you.
Choose An Effective Style
A good cover letter is concise, easy to grasp, and it comes off as genuine and sincere. Don’t use complicated, confusing jargon or filler phrases to appear clever and well-educated. Your letter will instead be rejected before the signature line because you will come out as high-sounding and insincere. The simple and straightforward language will best demonstrate confidence and competence. Excessive superlatives should be avoided. Avoid using phrases like “I’m the ideal candidate for this position because…” or “I am confident I will exceed your expectations in every way.” These are hollow assertions.
Make credible claims and support them with honest reports of your own experiences. Make use of active voice as well. The passive voice is frequently heavy and slows down your discourse. The active voice has a significantly more powerful and positive effect. Using an active voice also demonstrates that you are the “great writer” that you claim to be. On its own, a well-written, professional cover letter will suffice. Avoid gimmicks like printing your cover letter on paper that isn’t beige, gray, or white. It should be printed on the same bond paper as your resume and envelope.
Do Not Ever Include False Claims
Never make up a story or exaggerate an experience or qualification to impress a prospective employer or hiring manager. One fabrication leads to another, and you typically get caught along the way, which has terrible repercussions. It’s crucial, to be honest in this area of work. You need to start immediately establishing a reputation for being dependable and honest.
Proofread and Double-Check
Check your work for errors, then have a peer check it again. Your spelling, punctuation, and sentence construction have to be nearly flawless. These items may seem basic, but many qualified candidates are rejected for relatively “minor” flaws. Don’t offer the company an excuse to file your application under “reject.” If you can’t produce a perfect finished product about yourself, why would an employer trust you to handle client concerns? Never rush to finish them, and avoid writing them while you’re too worn out to look for errors. If you take the time to do a decent job, your letters will receive better responses and reactions.
