Words That Will Improve Your Cover Letter See Current Update
– Cover Letter –
Are you working on a cover letter to send with your resume? It’s important that your cover letter makes the best impression because it can help you secure a job interview.
Follow these tips and techniques for sending a top-notch cover letter, and you will increase your chances of getting an interview.
1. Add a Headline
You don’t need to stick to the standard “Targeting Role As Marketing Coordinator” at the top of your cover letter.
If you’re feeling creative, think of a catchy tagline that captures your areas of expertise while also showing off a bit of your personality.
We’re not talking “Marketing Ninja Who Assassinates Monthly Targets and Annihilates the Competitive Marketplace” here. (Although, you may actually get some interesting results with that one).
Instead, try something a little subtler, such as “Digital Dynamo Who Positively Transforms Businesses Through Exceptional Visual Design.”
2. Pick Your Top 3 Achievements
Choose your top three accomplishments as outlined in your resume and place them into your cover letter in bullet form.
Yes, this could come across as “regurgitation,” but doing this allows a hiring manager to remember you for something distinct upon scanning your application package.
Try rephrasing the bullet slightly by attributing each bullet to where you were when you completed each task (e.g., “While serving as a project manager with Rexall, I…”).
3. Discuss How the Company Benefits YOU
It’s not all about describing how the company will benefit from your presence, but also about how the company will help you grow and prosper as a professional.
Do some research into the company’s corporate values and stress how appreciative you are of at least one of their codes of ethics. Be sure to also highlight how that best practice will benefit you professionally.
4. It’s All About the Key Words
You’ve obviously heard this before, but it’s important to actually plug-in those key terms and phrases relevant to your industry and the job advertisement. Don’t know where to start? Print out the job posting and read it carefully.
Highlight the terms that pop up most often. Keep a tally and choose the top six relevant terms to incorporate somewhere in your cover letter.
You can even try your hand at new technology by using a free online program like “Wordle,” which does the hard part for you!
5. Tell a Narrative
The second paragraph of your cover letter should tell a story. Whether it’s about your progression from intern to VP of sales, or describing your most rewarding experience with a startup that went from $0 to $5M in two years, you can leave a huge impact on the employer by drawing a parallel between the accomplishment and how you plan to leverage that experience in a new role.
6. Got a Decent Testimonial? Use It!
If someone has left you a solid LinkedIn recommendation or Google review, throw it into your cover letter. If it resonates with you, it should do the same for an employer.
7. Write to the Job Advertisement
Read the job posting carefully and assess the “voice” and terminology used.
If it’s more conversational or incorporates modern slang and humor, it would serve you best to return the favor by toning down on the formality and stiffness that many cover letters are plagued with today.
Of course, you’ll need to also be tasteful with your sense of humor if you choose to dip into your witty side.
8. Definitely Downplay Adverbs
No one actually believes you when you say, “I am extremely excited at the prospect of working with such a highly refined and established organization.”
Remember this: every time you use an adverb (i.e., “really,” “totally,” and “very”), someone’s eyes roll to the back of their head.
9. If You Love Fluff, Do It Right
If you’re a fan of the fluffy “soft skills,” do your best to tie them to a specific example that explains how you were a “team player” in executing a certain task, or how your “exemplary communication skills” were pivotal in directing a team to a successful result.
10. Too Tough? Make It Rough
Okay, so all of this may sound easier said than done. Yes, writing a cover letter is tough, especially when you simply stare at a flashing cursor.
If you feel lost for words, just jot down some random thoughts you’d like to get across to the employer. Write out whatever comes to mind and it might just inspire you to get started.
11. The 360 Rule
If your cover letter is over 360 words, it’s probably too long.
Minimize the content in your cover letter to reflect the following formula: one introductory paragraph (three lines), a second paragraph that tells a narrative (five lines), a phrase that introduces your key accomplishments, a subsequent paragraph that briefly highlights any additional skills you want to touch upon (three lines), and finally a general closing statement (two lines).
12. Slash the Company’s Address
Unless otherwise specified, it’s now considered a dated practice to include the company’s address at the top of the cover letter.
They did this back in the day when job applications were submitted via snail mail, but now it’s just considered a waste of space.
Stick to the date, the job title and requisition number, and the name of the person you are addressing.
13. Do Your Research
Yes, you still have to put forth your best effort to find the full name of the employer or hiring manager, and yes, it can still be one of the most annoying tasks of the application process.
If you’re lucky, the job advertisement will usually tell you whom to address in your cover letter. If all else fails, “Dear Hiring Manager” is your next best option.
14. Edit, Edit, Edit!
This may be self-explanatory, but many job applicants continue to neglect this critical step. Unfortunately, one slight slip or typo is now enough to lose your shot at an interview.
Attention to detail is one of the most sought-after skill sets today, so be sure to edit and revise as much as possible to make every word count.
15. Make It Your Own
If you’re feeling flustered and find no solace with any of these tips, try coming up with your own unique approach to your cover letter.
Some employers will take nicely to an alternative approach, while others will prefer the traditional style. If you’re willing to challenge yourself and the status quo, take the plunge!
It’s important to send your cover letter and resume attachments correctly, to include all the information requested so they read your message, and to let the receiver know how they can contact you to schedule an interview.
Reach out to your friends on social media and share this article with them.
CSN Team.
