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A cover letter is perhaps the trickiest letter you will ever have to write as
a job seeker. It can’t be too long so as to bore the reader while at the same
time, it can’t be too short either. If you really look at it, you won’t be
writing anything more than who you are and why are you writing the cover letter,
yet you still want to make it impressive by making it different from the tons
that might be fighting to be on top.
So what are the secrets to writing that magical cover letter?
Top Five Tips To Writing Cover Letters That Get Results
Let’s look at the five most important tips that will make your cover letter
get attention:
1. Please don’t use a standard cover letter (read: template) with
blank spaces for addresses and date insertions. For god’s sake, avoid this as it
is going to drive the recruitment manager nuts. If they have read a thousand
resumes before they get to yours and they find a cover letter which is not
exactly and specifically made for them, they will possibly lose interest and not
continue with your resume any further. But seriously speaking, this kind of
template gives a feeling of being disregarded to the reader. Can you afford to
let this happen?
2. Don’t let all the goodies out of the bag in the cover letter itself.
Writing all about yourself in the cover letter is meaningless when you are
enclosing your resume as well. Also, a lengthy cover letter is boring and
frustrating. The most a hiring manager will do is throw it aside for the
circular file. This effectively means you are out of the running. So avoid
lengthy cover letters, and keep it brief and to the point.
3. Clearly specify the job code (if it is provided), and give the
reference as to whether you are writing the cover letter in response to an
advertisement. This prevents your letter from being delivered to the wrong
person/department. The right person will understand the position that you have
applied for, which makes it easier for him or her to contact you.
4. Personalizing and proofreading the cover letter – this goes without
saying. You may argue that perfect spelling and grammar in the cover letter are
not evidence of your talents, skills and abilities. Well, look at it this way;
what will you do if your talents get buried under unintentional and silly
errors? Better yet, how will you know – because if they are, you certainly
aren’t going to get called for an interview.
5. Grab attention in the opening sentence itself - This will grab the
reader immediately and entice them to read your cover letter carefully and
with interest. Think of this as sales – if you don’t get the reader’s
attention from the very start, the sale (i.e. – your candidacy) is lost.
Because the cover letter is the first contact that you will have with a
company or recruiter, it is absolutely essential that it gets the right kind of
attention from the get go. By following the five tips above, you will ensure
that your resume ends up at the top of the “yes” heap.
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