Believe it or not, job seekers oftentimes neglect paying attention to one of the most important components of an application for employment: the cover letter. Either candidates do not send a cover letter at all, or they include one that is weak and ineffective. With recruiters receiving upwards from a hundred resumes each and every day, allocating special care to the cover letter can make the difference between getting called in for an interview and having the resume tossed away almost immediately.
A well-written (and brief) cover letter not only introduces the qualifications of a job candidate to a potential employer, it also sets that applicant apart from all others and demonstrates a high level of professionalism.
Here are some quick tips job seekers can use to construct a cover letter that will get noticed:
Customize the Letter
Many applicants make the mistake of sending the same, generic cover letter with each application. The problem with this one size fits all approach is that it does very little to establish precisely why a job candidate is the best suited person to fill a particular position.
Firstly, create a distinctive cover letter and address it to a specific person. Do not send a letter addressed "Dear Sir or Madam," or "To Whom It May Concern." Secondly, include content that matches the particulars of the applied for position. Almost every sentence in an effective cover letter should include keywords and phrases that are mentioned in the original job listing, with specifics about how the job seeker's experience fulfills each of those requirements.
Demonstrate Industry Insight
Another way to increase the odds of getting a resume read is to show knowledge about the company and its place within the industry. Job candidates should use the first or second paragraphs of the cover letter to detail how they found out about the job opening (from a mutual acquaintance, or through an industry-specific job board) and then write a few words about what they know about the company, and why they wish to work for that organization in particular.
Is the company involved in some new venture, or has the company been mentioned in a recent news story? Include any relevant information that demonstrates insight, well-developed research skills, and familiarity with the company.
Enumerate Professional Achievements
Employers desire employees who are not only committed to working hard, but who can also demonstrate the ability to grow business for the company and make a quantifiably positive contribution. When referring to previous accomplishments in the cover letter, it is good practice to use numerical detail at every opportunity.
If the job being sought after is a sales position, for example, tell how much revenue was increased, or state the exact percentage of new business that was generated during prior employment within that field. If a job candidate can effectively quantify past achievements, a potential new employer will have compelling reasons to contact that applicant for a sit down interview in consideration for the job.
Proofread, Proofread, and Proofread Again
Finally, it is all important that the cover letter be free of spelling, grammatical, and typographical errors. Employers read many cover letters and resumes, and often use a process of elimination to save time. Written mistakes make it easy to quickly disqualify a candidate, since employers may determine that a person who lets errors slip by in a cover letter might also be just as careless on the job.
Before sending the cover letter, give it a thorough proofing and check for clumsy sentence structure, as well as for misspelled words or typos. Take a break, then come back at a later time and read it again. It may also be a good idea to read the cover letter aloud or to have someone else read it to see how it sounds to the ear.
One final note about writing an effective cover letter: Be self-initiating and issue a call for action of some kind from the potential employer. Do this by requesting that an interview be arranged either by phone or by email. Suggest that the employer make contact within a specific period of time, preferably one week after receiving the application. It is also good form to conclude the cover letter by reiterating strong interest in the position, and thanking the employer for their time and consideration.
A cover letter can make a great first impression on any viable employer as long as it is written well. Take the necessary time and effort to create a succinct and effective cover letter and the job offers will pour in.
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