Nobody loves looking for a job in this recent times. It’s not easy to search via internet job postings, polish your resume, or get ready for demanding interviews. Writing a strong cover letter is often the most difficult aspect of the application process. It’s difficult to know where to begin because there is so much contradicting advice available. Is one really necessary, particularly if you’re applying online? So if you have ben seeking for How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter, then read till the end.
Expert’s View
Almost invariably, the answer is yes. Even while you might not be able to include one in your online application, Jodi Glickman, a communications specialist and author of Great on the Job, advises sending one anytime you can. “It’s a crucial chance to stand out from the competition and your best chance of attracting the hiring manager’s or HR representative’s attention.” Additionally, according to UK-based career advisor and Knockout CV author John Lees, standing out in a crowded employment market is essential. However, as anyone who has ever composed a cover letter is aware, success is not guaranteed.
How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter in 2024/2025
Here are some helpful hints to help you write a good cover letter in this recent times.
Carry Out Your Research First
Learn more about the company and the particular position you’re interested in before you begin to write your cover letter. In addition to carefully reading the job description, you should also go through the company’s website, the LinkedIn profiles of its employees, and the Twitter accounts of its executives. You shouldn’t send a generic cover letter, therefore this research will help you personalize it. It will also assist you in selecting the appropriate tone. Glickman suggests, “Consider the culture of the company you’re applying to.” “You might take more chances if it’s a creative agency, like a design shop, but you might hold back if it’s a more conservative organization, like a bank.”
Before composing your cover letter, Lees suggests contacting the recruiting manager or another person you know at the organization, if at all possible. You can “ask a smart question about the job” in an email or a LinkedIn message. In this manner, you might mention the exchange at the beginning of your message. You may add, “I recently spoke to so-and-so at your company,” or “Thanks for the helpful conversation last week.” Naturally, reaching out to someone isn’t always feasible, and you might not receive a response. It’s alright. Still, it’s worth a shot.
Read Also: How to Get Jobs from the Best Long Term Care Insurance Companies
Pay attention to the future
According to Glickman, a cover letter should concentrate on the future and your goals, but a resume should reflect your experiences and past locations. “It can be right to consider it as the link between the past and the future that clarifies your goals and motivations for your next actions.” There is less of a requirement that you apply for a job that you have previously held because of the pandemic. Millions of people are changing careers, whether intentionally or involuntarily, and they need to reevaluate how their skill set fits into a different business or job, according to Glickman.
In your cover letter, you can describe the change you’re making, like going from hospitality to marketing. Consider it a chance to market your transferable abilities.
Open Strong
“People typically write themselves into the letter with ‘I’m applying for X job that I saw in Y place.’ That’s a waste,” says Lees. Instead, start with a strong opening sentence. “Start with the punch line — why this job is exciting to you and what you bring to the table,” says Glickman. For example, you might write, “I’m an environmental fundraising professional with more than 15 years of experience looking for an opportunity to apply my skills in new ways, and I’d love to bring my expertise and enthusiasm to your growing development team.” Then you can include a sentence or two about your background and your relevant experience, but don’t rehash your résumé.
You want to grab the attention of the hiring manager or recruiter, who is probably perusing a stack of them. Don’t try to be humorous, though. According to Lees, “humor can often fall flat or sound self-regarding.” Steer clear of clichés as well. “Say something straightforward and engaging, like, ‘Let me highlight two reasons why I’d be an excellent addition to your team.'”
Include a phrase or two in the opening if you have a personal connection to the business or an employee. Additionally, you should always write a letter to a specific person. According to Glickman, “it’s frequently possible to find the name of a hiring manager with social media.”
Demonstrate Your Personal Value
Employers seek someone who can assist them in resolving issues. Demonstrate your understanding of the company’s operations and some of its difficulties by drawing on your past study. These don’t have to be detailed, but you may talk about how the pandemic has impacted the industry. For instance, you may write, “Many healthcare organizations are overburdened by the need to deliver high-quality care while safeguarding the health and safety of their employees.” Next, discuss how your background has prepared you to address those demands; you may share a pertinent achievement or describe how you have previously resolved a comparable issue. You want to demonstrate the qualities that make you unique.
According to Lees, two abilities that are currently applicable to practically any job are flexibility and rapid learning. Include any succinct examples you have that illustrate these abilities. For instance, explain how you assisted your team in the transition to remote work and what resources you used.
Be enthusiastic
Glickman said that lack of skills is typically not the reason for not getting hired.” “It’s because they didn’t trust your story, your desire for the job, or your knowledge of what you were getting into.” The applicant who has made it look like this is their ideal position will be chosen by hiring managers. Thus, clearly state your reasons for wanting the job. Lees continues, “Enthusiasm communicates personality.” He recommends crafting a statement along the lines of “I would love to work for your company.” Who wouldn’t? As the industry leader, you set the bar that everyone else must meet. If there is something about the business or position that doesn’t excite you, don’t bother applying.
Be watchful of the tone
However, avoid being overly flattering or saying something you don’t intend. Being genuine is very important. “You don’t want to come across as desperate, even if you’ve been unemployed for months and would take any job right now,” advises Lees. Be mature and professional so that your tone doesn’t detract from your message. Putting yourself in the hiring manager’s position and considering “the kind of language that the hiring manager would use with one of the company’s customers” is a smart idea. Naturally, it might be difficult to recognize your own writing tone, so you might need to have a draft reviewed by someone else. This is always a good idea, though, as you’ll see below. When Lees is reading letters for customers, he says he frequently eliminates “anything that sounds like desperation.”
Make it brief
The general consensus is that it should not exceed one page. However, Lees and Glickman agree that much shorter is preferable. Lees claims that most cover letters are excessively lengthy. “It should be short enough for someone to read it quickly.” Although you must cover a lot of ground, you should do so in a concise manner. This is the time to have a mentor, friend, or former coworker look over your letter. Request that they go over it and indicate any areas where you can make cuts.
Get Feedback
According to Lees, sharing your cover letter with a few people is actually an excellent idea. Be clear about the type of feedback you are looking for rather than sending it off and asking, “What do you think?” Specifically, ask for two things. Ask your friend first whether they understand your primary point. Which story are you narrating? Do they have the ability to summarize it? Second, inquire as to the letter’s issue. According to Lees, “other people are more attuned to desperation, overselling, over-modesty, and underselling,” and they ought to be able to identify instances in which the tone is inappropriate.
Read Also: Should I Submit a Cover Letter for a new Job?
When submitting a cover letter becomes hard
Nowadays, a lot of businesses use online application processes that do not require a cover letter. There’s no assurance that you’ll be allowed to incorporate one into the same document as your resume, especially since some systems only permit data to be placed into certain boxes. In these situations, show your aptitude for the position and your excitement for it using the format provided. Try to locate someone to whom you may send a quick follow-up email outlining some important details about your application, if at all possible.
Conclusion
Are you an applicant hoping to get a good job? then your first selling point is your cover letter. Learn How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter. A good cover letter sells you first, before any other thing. Take your time to write a good cover letter, as that is your number one convincing tool. Please take your time to go through all the tips I stated above, as that will really help you in writing a good cover letter that will stand you out from the crowed. Thanks! Hope this article is helpful?
