Tips to Write a Good Cover Letter

The first impression is the last impression. Job seekers should try their level best to ensure that they are highly distinguishable from the other 8 billion people in this world. Today is a buyer's market. Companies are literally spoiled with choices because of globalization and liberalization. Indian companies can easily recruit a citizen of Qatar. In the cutthroat competition in the job market, job seekers should dwell on how they can make a difference and a good cover letter is the answer.

Cover Letter and its Importance

One can ensure that they have placed their best foot forward with a good cover letter. The cover letter is the first page of your one-page resume or curriculum vitae. Even before understanding your current designations or your different soft and hard skills, a recruiter goes through your cover letter. The cover letter has the power to set the mood. Employers tend to favor a resume with a cover letter, or sometimes make a cover letter a requirement for applying to a particular role.

A good cover letter helps the recruiter or the hiring manager understand some crucial questions, such as,

• Why are you interested in this specific position?

• Why do you want to be a part of the family or the company?

• What skillsets you can bring to the table?

• What sets you apart from the other candidates with similar skill sets?

• What are your contact details?

• What is the role that you are applying for?

• It also provides an alignment of the person's skills, experience, and interests with the job description.

A good cover letter will,

• Make a good impression on the candidate.

• shows the seriousness of the candidate regarding the job and the company.

• will increase the candidate’s chance of being called for the interview.

In this article, we will be discussing certain top tips that will help you develop an impactful cover letter.

A cover letter should be addressed to the hiring manager or the recruiter.

The name of the hiring manager or, generally, the person mentioned in the job posting should be addressed in the cover letter. This creates a personal touch with the recruiter and shows that you have gone through the job description and are taking the time to customize your cover letter. If you are unsure about the name of the hiring manager or the recruiter, you can address it "to whom it may concern." Along with this, you should mention the designation that you are applying for.

State the reason why you are looking for a change; do not be negative.

A recruiter should know everything that they want even before connecting with you. State the reason why you are looking for a change, do not use phrases like "my manager or boss was not a good person" or "the working culture was bad." This gives the impression that you are a negative person who will leave this company at the slightest inconvenience.

You can give reasons such as

• You want more exposure in the current domain, and that is why a change is necessary for you.

• You want to switch domains, and that is why you are interested in this particular job.

• You are looking for a work culture that suits your current requirements, for example, a hybrid mode of working or working from home.

Be wise in choosing your words.

Mention in brief why you are a fit for the job.

While writing this part of the cover letter, please ensure that you are covering the following points −

• How will your educational qualifications or certification help you perform the job?

• How has your past experience equipped you with the skillsets required for doing the task?

• How your strengths can align with the requirements of the job. For example, good communication skills, leadership qualities, and empathy will ensure that you are a good fit for the managerial position of the job.

Make it brief, and if you do not have considerable actions to speak about in the specific parameters mentioned above, skip them.

Align your strengths and qualities with the job description.

It is time for you to tell the recruiter that you have done your reading and you did not just apply for the job randomly. Align the skillset required with your qualifications and experience. Show the recruiter what you were able to understand about the requirement.

Show your interest in working for the company.

Go through the company's website. Learn about the company,

• Products and services that they offer.

• The working culture of the company.

• What piqued your interest in working for the company?

• What sets the company apart from the other companies in the market?

• Read about the leadership and the founding vision of the company.

This part shows how the company is aligning with your personal values and interests. Show the recruiter that you know about the company and that you are a serious candidate. This surely gives you an edge, because now the hiring manager will feel that their time is worth investing in you.

State what sets you apart.

A good cover letter should surely have this portion. The hiring manager should know why you are worth their investment. What are the qualities and skill sets that set you apart from the other 100 applicants that they have? State something exceptional about you and how that will help the position that you are applying for.

Do not use the same cover letter when applying for multiple jobs.

Candidates often commit the mistake of using the same cover letter for every job requirement. A generalized cover letter leaves no impact. Please improvise your cover letter according to the industry, the company that you are applying to, and the position that you are applying for. This might seem like a time-consuming process, but believe us, it is worth the time.

Make sure that your cover letter is brief, neat, organized, and free from grammatical errors.

Do not procrastinate when it comes to presentations. To set the right tone, one has to ensure that the cover letter is free from typing errors and grammatical mistakes. Do not make your cover letter lengthy; it should be to the point and relevant. This will surely pique the interest of the hiring manager. Mention your contact details and your interest in communicating further.

A good cover letter can make a world of difference. Just by keeping the above few points in mind, you can stand out from the crowd with ease. It takes nothing more than the willingness to write a good cover letter. Make a difference and get the job that you desire.