Strategies for Writing a Successful Cover Letter
For most of the people, writing a professional resume and cover letter is tough and they not really know where to start or what should be the content of the letter. In this article, you will find not only the sections, which should be included in the body of the cover letter, but also the ways that you should write these!
A cover letter is the document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. Contrary to what many people think, the cover letter is not the same as the resume and has a different format, also known as cover letter format. It is a document, which needs to be supplemented with the information provided in the resume by adding a personal touch and with the intention of selling your chances of getting your interview.
To get through the interview, the cover letter will play a decisive role. The important points, which should be considered while writing a cover letter, include studying the job announcement, sections of the letter, seller attitude and a personal touch to glimpse your personality.
The job ad
One of the most important things before you start writing the letter is to carefully read the job announcement. Try to analyze exactly what kind of candidate the company is seeking. Grab a paper and write down the three or four requirements listed in the advertisement. Now think about all that you have included in your resume and write about yours qualities that correspond to these requirements. Not only are you showing that you can distinguish the details of any documents but also it will be getting easier as the reader will see familiar words straight from the job advert.
Sections of the letter
Once you have determined your exact requirements requested in the announcement, it is time to start writing the letter. For the starters, the letter should be divided into five paragraphs. The first paragraph will have an introduction that includes how you found out that there was a job available and one or two sentences that highlight the qualities that make you the ideal candidate for this position. If you have mentioned three main qualities of yours, devote a paragraph to each. In addition, in the last paragraph you will close the letter saying goodbye with confidence and requiring you to be contacted for an interview.
Attitude seller
Now you have organized the cover letter in five paragraphs and know what you are going to write, you should adopt an attitude of seller. Put yourself in the reader’s position and write the letter with a focused tone. Instead of writing the letter full of “I am an expert on ______” or “I have knowledge of _____”, you should write, “Your business requires someone skilled in _______ and my knowledge in this area could help improve your department “. Take reference of a cover letter sample on Internet for help! It is to show empathy when writing. If you are able to anticipate how the reader will react to what you write, you will have a great advantage over the other candidates applying for the same position.
Personal touch
You have studied the job announcement, created the necessary sections in your letter, and have written the content exactly in a way that you want your reader to understand, but is there something that you think is missing! Yes, you may not be wrong, because the final thing that should be considered is to add a personal touch to that document. But, how is that done? Well it is not something tangible or easy to explain, let us start by saying what it is not! Imagine that you walk very busy and you have someone to write the letter for you (something not recommended) and after its completion, you start to read it. You find it very well organized and written, but somewhere you will think, “This does not sound like I wrote it.” What is missing? What it lacks is the personal tone that is unique. That personal touch reflects your way of saying and writing things. In addition, it is an essential detail to complete one of the most important documents you write in your lifetime.
So get to work and start typing. Remember to carefully read the job advertisement, to divide the letter into paragraphs for easier you start typing, to focus on how the reader will react to your words, and to include a personal touch. Finally, remember that the cover letter is the perfect complement to your resume. All the best!
Rashmi Karan is a web enthusiast and a content writer by profession who keeps an eagle eye on the trends of the Indian job industry. She writes on the latest happenings in the job industry and offers useful career advice. Her blogs and articles on writing resume and how to write a professional resume and cover letter, among others, offer exclusive and related information.
