You are preparing to apply for the perfect job vacancy and have updated your curriculum vitae. But wait, before applying, you have to write a cover letter. Even if you're not passionate about writing a cover letter and think it's a waste of time, a concise and structured cover letter will make the difference between getting hired and not. By highlighting your skills that can be applied to the job and showing potential employers that you can be a great asset, the letter will land you in your dream position.
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Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Cover Letter
Step 1. Take a sheet of paper and make two columns
In the left column write “Requirements” and in the right column “My Skills”. Read job vacancies carefully and understand the requirements. Next compare those requirements with the skills and experience mentioned in your curriculum vitae.
- In the left column, write down the requirements and skills required for the job.
- In the column to the right, write down the points from your curriculum vitae that match these requirements.
- Writing bullet points related to job openings will allow you to provide the most important information in your cover letter, quickly and effectively.
Step 2. Begin your letter by putting your contact information at the top
This is to make it easier for recruiters to contact you and find out who you are. Before starting a letter, make sure you have a good letterhead.
- Make sure your letter is left aligned.
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Enter the date you wrote the letter, separate one line, then include your contact information:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address (email)
- Personal website (if any)
- LinkedIn Profile
Step 3. Enter the company information
After entering your information, you must include the name of the head of the company to whom your letter is intended, his title, name and address of the company.
- By including the company's contact information, you indicate that you specifically wrote to the company, and have researched the hiring manager for the advertised position.
- This extra effort will put you ahead of the majority of applicants who generally copy ready-made cover letters, as well as show that you are dedicated.
- If you don't know the hiring manager's name, search the company's website to see if you can find his name. Look on LinkedIn, or even Twitter. If you can't find a specific name, see if you can find the head of the department you're applying to. If all else doesn't work out and you can't find a name, you may address the application letter to the department's hiring manager. For example: “[Department] Hiring Manager”.
Step 4. Address your letter to a specific person
You need to write a formal letter and start with an appropriate greeting. Do not address the “Regarding Person”, as this is informal, generic and gives the impression that you have not researched the company.
Again, if you don't know the hiring manager's name, write “Dear. [Department] Recruitment Manager” is enough
Part 2 of 3: Writing a Cover Letter
Step 1. Write a catchy first paragraph
Recruiters have read a lot of cover letters, and chances are they will read them quickly to decide whether your letter will go in the trash or be considered. Write down important information first, think of your cover letter like a news article.
- Open with a strong, declarative sentence that informs you that you are interested in applying for a [position] at [company].
- Briefly and specifically describe the factors that attracted you. What do you like about the company? Set an example, and don't be afraid to use a few conversational sentences if the company environment is casual enough.
- Show the hiring manager that you are not only familiar with the company's work, but that you are a suitable candidate by using a similar tone to theirs.
- For example, if you are applying for a job at a company that writes news articles, try writing a cover letter that matches their article. Are they serious, or are they humorous? If you are applying to a more formal company such as a large marketing company or financial institution, you may need to show that you are reliable, but still polite.
Step 2. State how you found out about the vacancy
Before applying, do a little research and see if you know someone who works there. Having insiders and references is always better, and don't be afraid to mention his name if he allows.
If you don't have contacts at the company, make sure you keep telling them where you found the vacancy, such as from job search sites, company websites, newspapers, and so on
Step 3. Explain what benefits they get if they hire you
Don't say that being hired by the company will benefit you. The position was open for a reason, there was a problem to solve. You are there to solve it.
- Go through your list of accomplishments and experiences, looking for an example or two you can talk about. It shows why you are the right candidate.
- For example, if you see that the position requires someone who can lead a team and handle multiple projects at once, check your list of accomplishments to see if you have the experience that fits the need. If you have led a team before, briefly write down how your leadership skills have increased the productivity of various projects.
- If you get an opportunity to present statistics and figures, do so. When describing the benefits of hiring you, try to use statistics such as the company's revenue increases or costs decreased under your leadership.
Step 4. Briefly include your strengths, qualifications and experience
In the second paragraph, you must match the job requirements with two or three of your abilities and experience, this shows that you are the right candidate.
- Refer to the curriculum vitae and skills section for a more in-depth explanation of your qualifications and skills.
- Look for short anecdotes that show that you are capable of solving any problems the company may have on their terms.
- Include the most relevant aspects of your career. While it's good to start with your most recent accomplishment, it's possible that you've previously worked on something that's very much in line with the requirements; Don't hesitate to dig into old experiences.
Step 5. Provide a description of yourself that is not included in the curriculum vitae
Hiring managers can read your curriculum vitae and see what you've done in your previous job. You need to show him who is behind the feat.
- Express the influence the company has on you personally in a sentence or two. If this is your dream job, chances are the company has shaped your life in some way.
- Don't be too sentimental, and keep it short. However, by showing your human side with a story, you show that you are more than just a fact on a piece of paper.
Part 3 of 3: Completing Applications
Step 1. Write one sentence summarizing the reasons that make you the perfect candidate
Closing your cover letter in the right tone is a very important part because it can lead you to the interview.
- As you explain how you contribute to the company, remember that you must put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager. Say that your contribution will help the company, not the company helping you.
- Ask yourself what you would look for in a candidate if you were the one doing the hiring.
Step 2. Invite the hiring manager to contact you
Let us know that you would be delighted to have the opportunity to discuss the position further and provide your contact information again.
- You can close the letter by thanking the hiring manager and ending it with a statement like the following, I look forward to hearing from you as soon as your busy schedule allows.
- Don't just ask the hiring manager to contact you if he feels you are a good candidate. Show confidence (without being arrogant) by saying that you want to talk more.
Step 3. End with a closing greeting
The closing greetings can be thought of later, but you can get frustrated if you don't know the right words. Use “Sincerely” or simply “Greetings”.
- Closing the letter too formally can be a disservice to you because it will appear insincere, or out of line with the style of your letter.
- By writing “Sincerely” or “Greetings”, you are showing respect without coming off as writing a love letter. A greeting like “See you later” can sound very informal and perhaps presumptuous.
Step 4. Write your name under the closing greeting
After the closing greeting, write your full name a few lines below, and put your signature.
- If your signature has already been created on your computer's word processor, you can enter it under the closing greeting.
- Alternatively, you can print the letter and sign it by hand. If you choose this method, you will still have to scan your mail back to your computer in case it will be sent via email.
- Some companies do not require a signature if there is already a full name.
Tips
- Your cover letter should be clear and to the point. Your first impression in the eyes of the employer is formed through this letter.
- Decide to only write three paragraphs, and never more than one page. Hiring managers are likely to read a cover letter quickly for relevant information before reading it in its entirety.
- Double check to make sure that your letter is formal and does not contain casual or informal language.
- Enter phone number, email address, and reference name if applicable. Alternatively, ask someone to provide you with references and include those references when you submit your cover letter and curriculum vitae.
- Have a friend or family member read your cover letter to see if they see any mistakes in it.
- Typed cover letters are preferred because they are considered more formal and easy to read than handwritten letters, so the chances of your letter being read are higher.
- Use relevant fonts. Try using Arial or Times New Roman. Avoid funny fonts like Comic Sans, as this can quickly damage the reputation of your letter by displaying a lack of professionalism. There are some unique vacancies where using a font like this would be fine but it's usually rare to find so better be careful.
- Double check to make sure your spelling and grammar are correct. Use paragraphs and punctuation.
Warning
- Don't assume that you will get the job in your cover letter. Avoid sentences that suggest that you already work for the company, such as “If you hire me, I will do the following things.”
- Your cover letter must not be a repetition of your curriculum vitae.
