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How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter
A cover letter is a one-page document that is an introduction to your resume. Applicants with great cover letters are able to effectively tell the hiring manager why their professional background makes them the perfect candidate for the job.
Simply put, a cover letter is a way to tell your future boss why you are qualified for the job. This document introduces your resume, so it is important to stand out and catch the eye of your hiring manager to stay out of the pile and go straight to the top.
But what goes into an effective cover letter?
Introduction instead of Repetition
Before you write anything remember that a cover letter should not be a replacement resume. It is a greeting into who you are and why your past experiences make you the perfect fit for the job. This means your cover letter should not repeat the same information that is in your resume. The hiring process takes time, and the last thing you want to do is make someone from HR read the same thing twice.
Contact Information
You want the job, and that means they need a way to reach you. Putting current and clear contact information is essential to a great cover letter. Make sure that the placement of the contact information is in the same place that it is in your resume. This adds uniformity and an additional layer of professionalism to show your great organizational skills. In your contact section make sure you include:
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Date
Additionally, you can add links to your professional website or professional social media pages.
Greet the Hiring Manager
First make sure that you address your cover letter to the hiring manager, including their name. This is important because according to the US National Library of Medicine when people hear their own name they tend to pay more attention to what they are reading and feel like it was made just for them. Company culture can determine how you refer to another person. If you are going for a more professional tone, make sure to use their last name. But if the atmosphere is more relaxed you can always refer to another person by their first name.
Although using their last name is always the safest bet if you are not sure. Good examples of greetings are:
- Dear Jessie,
- Dear Mr. Drexler,
- Dear Miss Felz,
- Dear Mrs. Gore,
- Dear Ms. Gonzalez,
Grab the Reader’s Attention
Like most persuasive writing, the body of your cover letter needs to start with something to hook the reader. This is a great time to let your personality shine, so have fun with it. Just be sure to keep your hook to around one sentence, remember this is still a professional document. Some ideas for a hook include:
- Personal Anecdote
- Excitement for Opportunity
- Favorite Quote
- Standout Skill
Don’t forget to transition from your hook into your introductory paragraph, this will help ease the reader into the rest of your letter.
Perfect Person for the Job
After your short introductory paragraph, it is time to get into the meat of this cover letter. The next paragraph should be why you are the absolute perfect person for this job. Try to use keywords taken directly from the job description to explain why your previous experiences make you a great candidate for this position. List the programs you have mastered, the projects you have worked on, and experiences that are relevant to the job. For example, if the job requires you to manage a team- talk about how you have handled managing a team of people in your past.
Be sure to include concrete metrics that highlight your success. These are concrete numbers that you present from your previous work. Talking about your skills is great, but data adds an extra ounce of professionalism to your cover letter. Examples of data to include in your metrics are:
- Project Name
- Number of Employee’s Managed
- Amount of Profit/Savings after Completion
- Time Frame
- Skills Used
Good Fit for the Company
Now that you have explained why you have all the required skills to succeed in the role, it is time to show why you would fit right in with the company. Each office space has a different dynamic and being able to match the energy is essential to your survival. According to a research study conducted by the
American Sociological Association, employers are more likely to hire a candidate they think they will get along with during the workday. Of course, you need to be qualified (you already wrote about it in the previous paragraph) but you also need to be able to connect with your coworkers on things other than your work. If you get hired you will be spending around 40 hours a week with these people that are probably already close, so letting them know that you will add to the atmosphere is key to not only your happiness but the company’s happiness with placing you at the job.
Call to Action
As you are nearing the end of your cover letter, it is time to take action. This last paragraph is the place to provide the hiring manager with the next step. Before that, be sure to thank the hiring manager for taking the time to read your letter. You should leave them excited to meet you in person. The call to action at the end of this paragraph is the most important part. This is a sentence that gives them other opportunities to speak with you or look at more of your work. Following up is still important because sometimes your resume can get lost in the pile. Do not forget to add a formal closing at the very end. Call to action examples include:
- Please also check out my professional website…
- I look forward to meeting in person to learn more about [Company Name]
- Please let me know if you have any questions, feel free to call at…
- I would like the opportunity to meet with you and discuss...
Formatting
After all this work, it is imperative that the format of your cover letter look tidy and efficient. Make sure that you are using the same margins and fonts in your resume to show good organization skills. Avoid adding too much design, you do not want to distract from the content.
Worried about the interview? Don’t be, our team at Allied OneSource is dedicated to landing you the job. Our experienced recruiters are experts at optimizing your resume to impress hiring managers. Get in touch with one today!
