What Makes A Good Cover Letter?

Let’s face it – in this job market, you need all the help you can get in standing apart from the crowd of people looking for jobs. It’s estimated that there are 6.3 unemployed people for every job that is available, which means hiring managers are being very selective for interviews and in filling positions. Perfectly qualified candidates are being turned away for minor reasons, so you need to do all that you can to make your cover letter shine.

A good cover letter is a gateway to finding out more about your experience and asking you for an interview. Think about your cover letter as the set up for your resume. If you’ve ever been on a blind date, you know the importance of the set up. If your sibling sets you up with his or her friend, you can tell a lot about the person from the context your sibling gives you. Your sibling will normally play up the good parts of the person’s appearance and personality which makes you want to get to know them better. The same is true for your cover letter. It should play up the good parts of your resume and encourage the hiring manager to call you in for an interview.

A cover letter should be personalized for each and every job that you apply for. This may seem like overkill but it could literally make the difference between getting a job and spending several more months unemployed. The time you spend tweaking and re-writing a cover letter to suit a job can pay off in spades.

Thinking about the needs of the employer first is an excellent way to structure your cover letter. They want an employee who knows what they are talking about, who is enthusiastic about working with the company and who has the experience to be able to complete the job function.

Your potential employer wants to know what you can do for them, and not what you’ve done for someone else. If you start with explaining your knowledge of the industry and your knowledge of the company specifically, you’ll be able to attract the attention of your potential employer. By doing some investigative work, you’ll prove that you know what you’re talking about and you’ll show personal interest in the company.

You can show enthusiasm for the job by devoting part of your letter to sharing details that aren’t part of your resume. You shouldn’t get excessively personal, but the cover letter is an opportunity to translate the nuts and bolts of your resume into real world skills. Give a brief overview of your work skills but, most importantly, show how they are related to the job you are applying for. Showing a little of your personality will make your cover letter more believable and memorable.

You can create a good cover letter by keeping the focus on the needs of the employer and using it as a platform to show off your best side. Make sure to personalize your cover letter for each employer and you’ll be more likely to get the interview.

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