Almost 95% of the educational institutes do not teach the basics of professional life to the students. Not even the first steps – a cover letter or CV writing! But don’t worry. This blog right here is packed with all the necessary guidelines for you to start writing your first flawless cover letter. However, before we begin with cover letter writing tips, here is what you need to understand.
- You must have all your experiences and skills at your fingertips.
- Decide which of these will be mentioned in the cover letter to interest the reader.
- Find details of the company you are writing to.
- Think again, who told you about this job, and what made you choose it?
Impressive Cover Letter Writing Tips That Work
So far, you must have revised everything about the company, so now let’s begin with how you will be writing the letter of introduction without the help of a cover letter writer.
Step #1: Recognize the Structure
Within a 250 to 400-word-long document, there are six brief elements. The first one is the header. It includes all the candidate’s personal information, such as name, address, phone number, and email. After that, you are supposed to write the greeting, introduction, body, closing, and finally, the sign-off statement.
Step #2: Start Filling in the Details
When it is time to start filling in the personal details, make sure that each of them in rightly put in the correct order. Apart from this, also make sure that everything is accurate in spelling and numbers. It is crucial because if you mess up here, the recruiter might not be able to reach out to you in a timely manner. So, be extra careful.
Step #3: Now, Introduce Yourself
This section of your cover letter can open with a sentence that enthusiastically refers to the position you are interested in and why. For example, you can talk about what led you to discover this opportunity. You can mention names if you heard it from an existing employee of the company.
Then, in this section, remember that it is supposed to be only two to three sentences, explaining very subtly why you are a good fit for the role.
Step #4: Write the Main Body
Considering that you are not working with any CV writers, it is important to stay within the typical length. Any content exceeding 1-2 paragraphs can make the cover letter seem very chunky. You can start by mentioning your specific experiences and skills that will help you adjust to the role. However, make sure that whatever you write conveys that you are a quick learner.
Step #5: End It All with the Closing Paragraph
At the very last, you need to close with very short words. It should be very concise yet still meaningful. In addition, this conclusive part needs to include important information like the relevant qualifications, your interests, additional interesting facts, and a thank-you note. It is important because you are not being ethical if you don’t show gratitude.
Effective Hacks That Nobody Will Ever Tell You
- You need to customise your cover letter for each job you apply for. It is important because, without it, your document will never stand out. You need to give the reader something so that they don’t throw your letter in the dustbin.
- Next, nicely lay out your skills for them to notice and remember, and present them by aligning them with the company’s needs. In this process, the job description can be your biggest helping tool.
- If you don’t have enough relevant experience and don’t know any cover letter writing tips, do not be discouraged. Proceed by listing at least three of your soft skills, such as leadership, communication, and teamwork capabilities.
- Moving on, make sure that you are not including any generic statements that you cannot back up with evidence later on. Candidates often make this mistake in their nervousness and then face rejection and humiliation upon investigation of the letter.
- Revisit the job description and check if you have addressed all the things that they asked you to. For instance, if they require 2 years of on-the-field experience for a construction job, then mention that in clear words and easy to find a spot.
- The very last hack is to pick the right format, and if you don’t know about it, then just find for yourself a suitable template. If you pick the right format and adapt to the target industry without a mistake, there are solid chances that this time you will get a call back for an interview.
The Frequently Asked Questions of a Job Seeker
Q. What is the most professional font for the cover letter?
The most professional fonts for this type of formal document are usually just three – Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman. These fonts are very simple and clean-looking, which ensures that the document remains highly readable.
Q. Should I indent paragraphs in the document?
Honestly, there is no need to indent paragraphs, as block formatting enhances the clarity, scanning, and readability of the document. Additionally, block style is also preferred in modern business writing.
Q. How do I tailor this letter of introduction?
When customising the document, start by researching the target company. Gather as much information as possible about the specific job role as well. Then, use this information to write content that aligns perfectly with the job description.
Q. What is the STAR method in cover letter writing?
In this method –
S – Sufficiency
T – Typicality
A – Accuracy
R – Relevance
These are the four factors you need to consider when writing a professional document.
The Summary of Tips for a Catchy Letter of Introduction
We have learned so many cover letter writing tips in this blog. Here is a quick recap:
First of all, you should not let your cover letter exceed 250-400 words. Then, ensure that it is written in a way that convinces the hiring manager of your credibility. Another important thing to note is that your opening paragraph must be very rich and attractive.
If it fails to grab the reader’s attention, there are very few chances that the recruiting officer will proceed to your resume. Finally, when you conclude, recap your key selling points and thank them for their precious time.