Now, we just need to know where to send it! Our review will help you with tips on the design, structure and content of your resume. While you wait, we have plenty of expert career advice on our blog. Even if a hiring manager doesn't read your cover letter, writing one will still help you stand out from other candidates. Congrats — you've found a job that looks like a fit, and you've taken the time to craft a specialized resume for the role.
But do you really have to spend more time writing a cover letter as well? Do recruiters even read cover letters anymore? You're applying directly to a specific person in the company, not through the general application system. These all make sense, but what if none of those apply to your particular job application process?
Remember your mother telling you to always have an extra of whatever you need because it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it? That's a broad rule of thumb for cover letters; it's always better to submit one that might not be read versus a recruiter or hiring manager looking for one that's not there.
You can also find incentive for writing a cover letter once you understand the specific ways it helps you stand out as a candidate. Full disclosure: In my work as a recruiter, I barely glanced at cover letters — unless I had two equally qualified candidates and needed a deciding factor, or I was interested in a candidate, but their resume didn't tell me enough of what I wanted to know.
Preparing a cover letter when one isn't formally required shows that you're willing to take the extra time and energy to show just how much you want the job. Two recent studies by CareerBuilder also confirm that a cover letter never fails to impress. About 53 percent of employers feel a resume alone is not enough to get noticed, while 49 percent of HR managers said that including a cover letter is the second-best way to call attention to your resume, behind customizing that resume for the job.
The data also showed that cover letters made a strong impression whether the job was full-time, part-time, or an internship. Sticking to a two-page resume means you can't clarify or explain that gap in your employment or why you went into a new career; this is the role of the cover letter. Instead of a hiring manager tossing your resume due to that employment gap, they can refer to the cover letter to better understand the circumstances surrounding it. Smaller companies often hire fewer people at a time, so their hiring managers will likely take the time to look for and read a cover letter to better understand each candidate.
A cover letter can also help a recruiter or hiring manager see a bit of your personality to assess how you would fit with their company culture, so make sure you show off your personality in a way that is effective and professional. However, a poll from recruitment firm Robert Half found that 90 percent of executives consider cover letters to be invaluable when assessing candidates. If you have room on the page, you can also include the name and contact information of the hiring manager or company.
People usually include employer contact information on their cover letter if they are submitting a hard copy, but this part of the header is considered optional. The salutation or greeting of your cover letter is your first chance to differentiate yourself from other applicants by addressing the correct person.
Research the name of the hiring manager for each position to show that you have put thought and effort into your application. You can often find this information within the job listing, on the company website or by calling their office and asking. If you can't find a specific name to address your letter to, you can personalize the greeting by referencing the specific department you would be working with. Keep your greeting short and professional, using the appropriate honorifics or titles when applicable.
The first paragraph of your cover letter should provide the basic details about who you are and why you want the job. Include the title of the job you are applying for, provide a general overview of why you would excel at the position and the reasons you are excited about the job. You can mention how you heard about the position and why you decided to apply, which is an especially good strategy if another employee referred you to the position.
Review the job posting for the core strengths required for the job and use your introductory paragraph to explain how you exhibit those qualities. After the introduction, focus on your history and qualifications.
This allows you to attract the employer's attention by immediately sharing how you can benefit their team. Provide more details about the information you include on your resume, and focus on how your experiences specifically apply to the job. Include stories about relevant projects or situations that give insight into how you solve problems and do your work well.
Explain how you contributed to the success of past projects and draw attention to the impact of your actions. Read more: 10 Skills for Cover Letters. The next paragraph should demonstrate that you understand the company's mission and have done research on the position. Focus on how your goals align with theirs and connect to the elements you like about the company culture.
Explain how the work you do can mutually benefit your future and the needs of your prospective employer. This section of your cover letter allows you to show that you can not only do the job well but can fit in with a team and bring a positive attitude to the workplace. The final paragraph should summarize your interest and suggest the next steps for proceeding with the application. Thank the hiring manager for taking the time to review your application, and express interest in speaking more about the position or scheduling an interview.
Your cover letter should cater to how you can benefit the company, so focus on the skills and talent you hope to bring to their team. Sign off with a professional closing phrase and your signature or typed name. If you're emailing your cover letter, be sure that you do not include an unnecessary email signature. Some appropriate closing phrases are:. Use this template to create a cover letter that includes all of the key elements:.
He recommends following up with a phone call to encourage the recruiter or employer to open the cover letter. Finally, even if time is tight, get someone else to read over your cover letter and provide feedback. Getting it right can really boost your chances of landing the job. Career Advice E. Explore careers Job hunting Working life. Job hunting Cover letters. Hi there ,. Walker looks for cover letters that are tailored to suit each job and that demonstrate what a good fit a candidate is for the role.
Cover letters should underline keywords that describe how your skills, training and experience fit the job, he adds. Tony Pownall, Regional General Manager at Hudson Pownall is impressed by a cover letter in which a candidate talks about their motivation and passion for a particular role, and highlights the key competencies. Was this article helpful? Cover letters See all.
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