Cover Letter Tips to Get Noticed

Most aspiring job seekers fail to understand the value and importance of a well organized cover letter. They do not realize that both resume and cover letter go hand-in-hand, and play an important role in landing a job.Developing a creative, thoughtful and well crafted cover letter boost the chances of landing a job.

Here is list of tips that will help you outshine your competition and get you one step closer to an interview, as reported on Salary.com.

1. Understand The Role Of The Cover Letter:

A well-crafted cover letter is basically a sales letter with respect to the recruiter. A cover letter gives you an opportunity to showcase your skills and let the recruiter know why you are the perfect person for the job. In addition, it allows you to demonstrate your desire to work, identify specific ways your expertise can benefit the organization, differentiate yourself from the rest of the pile, demonstrate your individual personality and arouse interest that will help you to get the interview. 

2. Be Specific and Know Your Stuff:

It is advisable not to use mass produced or generic cover letters. It is essential to customize a cover letter according the needs of a specific employer and include specific points about why you are attracted to the company and the position, and highlight aspects of your experience that are most beneficial to the potential employer.

A little research about the potential employer before writing a cover letter can help you tailor the cover letter according to needs of the company.     

3. Put in Some Efforts and Make it Personal:

Most of the times, a job listing does not include the name of the concerned hiring manager. In such situations, it is not recommended to start a cover letter with a general reference, as it may signal a lack of initiative to locate the appropriate contact.

Instead, put in some efforts, contact the company directly or research on the internet to get the name and title of the concerned hiring manager.

4. Be Confident, Strong and Professional:

A good cover letter starts with a strong, unambiguous opening paragraph. Your attitude should be confident without being arrogant. It is advisable not to stuff your cover letter with cute or catchy phrases; as such attempts to gain attention may appear insincere. It is best to keep your cover letter crisp, polished and professional as well as being visually appealing and interesting. It is essential for it to be formal, yet friendly and open.

5. Highlight what is Most Relevant:

A cover letter should be simple, brief and to the point. It should be no longer than a single page. As a recruiter spends very minimal time analyzing your cover letter, highlighting key points can be beneficial and also makes sure that the vital information are spotted easily.

Highlight skills or experience that are most relevant to the job opening and provide appropriate examples of the experience, skill and training that are the basis of your confidence.

6. Check Spelling and Grammar:

A smallest grammatical mistake can jeopardize the chances of landing a job, as it signals a lack of professionalism and attention to details, which may discourage the hiring manager from contacting you for an interview. It is recommended to cross check your document for spelling mistakes multiple times before sending it to a potential employer. You can also ask your friends or family members to proof read the document and check its correctness.

7. Follow Up:

Follow up plays an important role in landing an interview. It signals your eagerness and commitment towards the job opening, thereby encouraging the recruiter to contact you for an interview. Hence it is advisable for every aspiring job seeker to follow up their application regularly. Reiterating your interest in the position, asking about the status of your application and asking if they need any further information from your end can boost the chances of landing an interview.