Many people don’t get the idea of a cover letter. You send it with your resume, and it does matter. Therefore, you must put in the same amount of effort as you do with your resume. Your employers look at your whole application before selecting people for a job. Your cover letter is all about why you are suitable for this job. It should not include the same old things everyone says, but it should be unique.
What are the contents of a cover letter?
A perfect cover letter must include the following things,
- Your name
- Your address
- Contact number
- The manager’s name (if you know it)
- The source of vacancy
- Why should they hire you
- What can you do for the company
- Closing statements
Why does a cover letter still matter?
A cover letter is not the same as a resume. It doesn’t include your achievements, skills, and qualifications. It is about why you? Why should the recruiter pick you? What can you do for this company? Many people come up with the same old boring answers like I would work hard, do this, do that, etc. It is not an attention grabber because everyone has written the same thing in their cover letters. What can you do to make it stand out?
Tips and tricks for the perfect cover letter
I am going to tell you about writing the perfect cover letter. There are a few things you must know, and these will help you to be unique.
Keep it different from your resume
Writing a cover letter is different from resume writing. So, its contents should be different as well. Many people make the mistake of using the same phrases and words. You must avoid this at all costs. Even if you are writing the same points, your ideas should be different from your resume. Or, what’s the point of writing the resume and cover letter separately?
Simplicity is the best
Aim to stay simple. Use simple words and avoid complicating things. It gives out a good impression, and it will save the trouble of misunderstanding your words. You can try to use different fonts to make it more attractive. Stick to Arial and Calibri, as they are simple and easy to understand. Moreover, font size also matters. Try not to go smaller than 12 points.
In addition to these, add margins to your cover letter. Also, use the same font, font size, and margins to your resume. It gives out a professional look.
Keep it brief
Your cover letter should be about the job only. Don’t brag about other things. Try to stick to your purpose. Anything unrelated to the main point will cause the reader to lose attention. Moreover, your employer already has a pile of cover letters, and he doesn’t have time for off-topic statements. It is in your best interest to keep it brief and concise.
Write a new one
We know that you apply for many jobs during the job hunt, but this is not a reason to use the same cover letter for every job. Each job is different and has different requirements. People need to stop doing this. If you want to be more successful in landing this job, address yourself and your concerns thoroughly in a separate cover letter.
Write with confidence
Confidence does wonders. Trust me on this one. You must write your cover letter with confidence. That includes writing about your skills as well. Be confident about why this company needs you and why they should select you.
Add your personal touch
You should add a hint of your personality with the limits of professionalism. It will add your personal touch to your cover letter.
Proofread your cover letter
Proofreading your cover letter will save you from many errors. You can also run through a Grammar checking software or ask someone else for a second opinion. Make sure you read it three times before you send it to the company.
If you are writing a cover letter for the first time, you should check different cover letter templates. There are many samples on the internet. You will find them easily. Remember these tips, and your cover letter shall get you that job.