There are a hundred things that one is ready to do when it comes to job hunt. From finding contacts to developing skills, every step makes you closer to your dream job. Cover letters are an essential part of your job process that enhances your chances of being called. The article talks about seven ways that will certainly make the recruiter smile and then call you.

An e-mail pop up today tells you that the job opening you have been waiting for is finally there and now is the chance to climb the success ladder you have always wanted to. There is a checklist that you make checking all your skills, educational qualifications and professional qualifications that are neatly summed up in what we call as a resume. Before working on the resume, it is very important to understand the importance of cover letter and what is that the recruiters are not looking in a cover letter.

Why do you need a cover letter?

The importance of cover letter cannot be overstated. You can spend hours or rather days in making the perfect resume, but an under stated cover letter may just land you nowhere. This introductory document can help your resume leap to the top of the pile. The majority of the recruiters believe that cover letters are important when evaluating an employee. Even today when the job application process has moved online, the importance of cover letter is still vital.

This video below tells you why cover letter is important:

There are three factors that can be influential on for prospective employer. You need to tell the employer that you are:

For a successful selection, you need to tell the recruiter all of this and you can start with the very first document that represents you; your cover letter. You can either make it or break it at the very first step.

7 Ways that help you make a pleasing cover letter

Here are a few ways to make a cover letter that will conveys talent and passion and will not only make your day but will surely make the recruiter or the hiring manager smile.

#1: Specify why are you interested in the company?

Make the employers feel special. Tell them why you choose them over the others. You need to specifically tell them why you want to join them. Try being unique and state reasons that others are not thinking about.

Example: “I have been really impressed how graciously your team has taken care of our needs as customers. Keeping the inspiration in mind, I want to be the part of this generous team and please its existing customers in a traditional yet innovative way”

Make it visible that you get the company culture and get to know the company like a person. Also, your cover letter formatshould vary according to an organization. If you are applying to a core business company, you should stick to your accomplishments. On the other hand, if you are applying to a PR firm or an advertising agency then you can add a creative and snappy element to your cover letter.

#2: Underline what can you deliver

Underline what you can deliver for a specific job that you are applying to. Study the key responsibilities and understand how you can make the recruiters believe that you fit in. This is not a general proclamation of “I am the best” but an analysis of key requirements of the job and making it clear to the employer that you can deliver the specific requirements of the role.

#3: Do not include that is already on your resume

Yes facts are important! But you can leave that to your resume. In your cover letter you can try including a story that narrates your fascination of getting attached to the organization.

What mostly goes wrong in a cover letter is that people write their resumes in a paragraph form when told to write a cover letter. Do not make this mistake and instead include stories that make the recruiters believe that you have a serious passion towards the job and the company.

#4: Avoid “To Whom it may concern”

You just cannot generalize a cover letter. You have to make an effort and find the right person to it must be addressed. Sources like LinkedIn can easily let you find about who is the right person to come in contact with when applying for the job.
You may address it to the concerned HR of the company, but avoid general addressing statements like ‘To whom it may concern’, Dear Sir/Madame and more. In case you are not able to find who to address, address nobody.

#5: More use of “you” rather than “me”, “I” and “myself”

Do not talk about yourself and why you are perfect for the job. Instead talk about why the company is perfect for you and how you can grow because of the company. Remember you are one of the many applicants and each one thinks that they belong to the company.

#6: Make a strong closing

A strong closing would mean how your experience has helped the previous organizations grow. Do not talk about your role, rather summarize your achievements in a sentence or two and let the company know that you can be beneficial for them as well.

#7: Personalize your cover letter for every job that you apply

Employers expect a personalized cover letter that shows them that you are fit for the position and you are a valuable candidate who is worth their time for an interview at least. Using a single cover for every job that you apply can be a mistake that you do not to make. Make sure that every job you are applying for has a different cover letter that addresses someone in the company and as mentioned earlier not to someone it may concern.

In the End

It is a common notion that most people are so intimidated by cover letter that they completely skip it. But as a matter of fact most employers do not even go through the applications that do not have a cover letter attached to them. Your resume may showcase a perfect picture of you, but remember that a cover letter is the marketing document that sells and not the resume.

So if you want to land up for an interview, it is important that you pay attention to your cover letter and draft it the right way.