Though cover letters are usually placed before the resume, most employers read them second.
A great cover letter writer can convince a recruiter to hire them. Explore our cover letter writing tips that’ll ensure success.
Write Succinctly
Truthfully, recruiters read through a lot of resumes and will likely not read your cover letter thoroughly. Therefore, you have to instantly grab your reader’s attention. Employers are not interested in reading a giant block of text or a 2-page introduction so your cover letter outline has to be concise and to the point. Recruiters are busy, so they prefer short bursts of information.
Your cover letter should be presented like a press release. They only talk about relevant information and take out all of the fluff and unnecessary information.
Only write a paragraph or two.
This is the time to highlight your best skills and your best skills only. Boil down your entire resume and background into 3-5 points you would like to mention. Never go into too much detail about any of your subjects. This is simply meant to be an introduction to your qualifications, not a deep or thorough explanation.
You have to help the recruiter help you.
Succinctly explain why you are the best candidate for the position in a quick and simple manner. A good cover letter writer makes the information easy to understand so that the recruiter doesn’t have to search for the information.
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Clearly State Your USP
Explain your USP (unique selling proposition) early in your cover letter outline. This will help the recruiter decide if they’d like to offer you the position. Quickly state your qualifications and justify how they are unique, making you an ideal candidate. A cover letter writer has to communicate in an effective and professional tone.
Why are you different, and how does that difference affect the company’s position and the team you’re applying to?
Expand on why and what in your resume is relevant to the company, position, objectives, and/or team you are applying to. Always link your experience to the company’s position or needs.
Tell your story in 30 seconds or less.
Don’t Do Any of These Things
Remember to always write succinctly and mention your USP in an upbeat, professional and conversational tone. Avoid the ten following points:
- Copying and pasting your resume into your cover letter
- Copying and pasting the job description into your cover letter
- Telling your personal “story” (about your parents or family)
- Being overly descriptive
- Restating or repeating what’s already in your resume
- Making your cover letter 1-2 pages or “longer than it needs to be”
- Including fun facts about you
- Fitting in as much as possible
- Sharing personal information such as gender, age, xexual orientation, religion, or political views
- Having your picture embedded in your cover letter (or resume for that matter)
Our cover letter writing tips may be different from what you’ve traditionally been taught. Now that the job market has evolved we have to change with it. Write a succinct, intentional cover letter that tells employers exactly how you can help them and you’ll see the responses you’re hoping for.
Need a little help polishing up your resume or creating an effective cover letter? Get help with your resume and cover letter now.