A cover letter is simply a note to ensure that your CV gets read, think of it as pitching yourself. It is your first chance to really impress your potential employer and you need to make a fantastic initial impression. Follow our top tips below to help you achieve the perfect cover letter:
• Address Directly to the Recruiting Representative or Manager
Nothing says, "I don't care about your company" like an opening of "To whom it may concern." That may have been acceptable before the use of modern technology, but today it takes as little as a Google search or a phone call to figure out the name of the hiring manager…and make sure to spell their name correctly!
• Don’t Use a Generic Cover Letter for Every Application
It may be incredibly tempting to save time and send the same cover letter to every single potential employer, but whatever you do, avoid this temptation! Recruiters can spot a generic cover letter a mile off and it is an instant no no. It screams laziness, and no employer wants to hire a lazy candidate. Instead, make each cover letter individual in order to represent the exact job that is being applied for each time.
• Don’t Just Repeat Your CV
Repeating the information that is already on your CV is a complete waste of time, not only for you but also for the recruiter. You should extract the most relevant, juicy and impressive aspects from your CV and use this as your basis.
• Short and Sweet
A cover letter should be a brief introduction of yourself. Half a page of A4 is the perfect length but anything up to 1 page is acceptable, depending on the job you are applying for and how much relevant information you can provide.
• First Paragraph and Last Line
Not all cover letters will get read to the end, to ensure yours does the first sentence needs to hook the reader’s attention - pull them in with a unique and flashy starter. Also try and avoid waffling in your first paragraph, make the reason you're writing clear and sell yourself; writing what makes you better than others straight off. Finish with a call to action, request they contact you for a meeting or interview and let them know you will be in touch to discuss.
• Use Numbers and Percentages to Back Up Your Claims Where Possible
For example, if you claim you have boosted profit for your previous employer then back it up. Everyone can waffle, but by using statistics is shows you have made a real difference and know exactly what you are on about and that your success has been measurable. Numbers also stand out and will instantly attract the readers eye.
• Check, Check and Check Again
Finally, once your amazing, wonderful, beautifully written and professional cover letter is complete, proof read it like never before. Just one small grammatical or spelling error could make the difference between your CV being opened or not. It’s also a good idea to ask someone with a fresh pair of eyes to have a quick read as they are more likely to spot any errors.
Information sourced from Monster and The Guardian.
