Employers often receives
hundreds, maybe even thousands, of applications for each position they want to
fill. If you are among the thousands of applicants, how do you ensure your
application gets short-listed and not discarded? Writing targeted, employer-specific
and effective cover letters is one proven way to do it. Your cover letter is a
powerful tool that differentiates your application, provided it is
well-written.
1. Identification
Cover
letters are letters of introduction. They work in combination with your resume
and other documents in the application and give an indication of your
qualifications and experience in relation to the position. Your cover letter is
usually the first point of interaction between you and the prospective
employer, which is why it is essential that cover letters are written with
careful consideration. In many cases, the order in which the employer reads the
applications is cover letter, resume and other supporting documents. So, if the
cover letter does not impress him, he may not even bother to look further, even
if your resume is stellar.
2. Features
An
effective cover letter should be engaging, employer- or position-specific and
well-written. It should describe why you are interested in the position and
what qualification, or experience makes you a good fit. It should outline your
relevant experience or education, and also reflect your
enthusiasm and willingness to learn. You can also take the opportunity to
highlight a special skill or quality you possess that would be an asset for a
candidate in that position. A cover letter is also where you can sometimes make
up for lack of experience or education, by explaining how you would still be a
good choice because of other strengths. If the employer requires you to provide
a suitable date for an interview, or your salary expectations, a cover letter
gives you the opportunity to mention those details.
3. Benefits
When
there is a pile of resumes on a prospective employer's desk, a personalised,
tailored cover letter is more likely to get his attention. Since the cover
letter summarises your experiences, qualifications and interests and points out
what specific skills make you the right pick for the job,
it makes the employer's job easier. Resumes follow a more rigid structure and a
specific format, so cover letters can do what your resume may not be able
to, which is, reflect your personality, motivations and attitude. You could
express your eagerness to learn
or take on challenges. You could mention a particular example from an earlier
employment where you exceeded goals. These are the highlights in
your career that
may not pop out from your resume, but they will be easily visible in your cover
letter. The employer also gets an idea of your information organising and
written communication skills, your attention to detail and your confidence.
4. Considerations
If
possible, find out the name of the person in charge of the position and address
the cover letter to her. If this is not possible, then use the title of
the person. "Creative Director" or "Web Editor" is better
than "Hiring Manager" or "To whom it may concern." Make
sure there are no typos, spelling or grammatical errors. You could also
mention the best times and the best ways to contact you.
5.
Warning
Some
employers strictly specify not to send cover letters. Some have specific
formats in which the cover letters should be written. So be sure to read the
application instructions carefully before applying. The quickest way to land
yours in the wastebasket is to disregard instructions. Do not make the cover
letter too wordy or long. It should be a brief summary of your experience and
qualifications, highlighting your key strengths or achievements that apply to
the particular position. Although a cover letter is an opportunity to express your
strengths, goals and motivations, be sure to choose your language carefully and
keep the cover letter professional.
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