Impact of a killer cover letter: Top 10 tips on getting it right

Candidates - 4th February 2014

 

A carefully worded cover letter can be the difference between a prospective employer looking through your application, and a prospective employer discarding your application without a second glance. A cover letter provides the job seeker with the perfect opportunity to promote their CV, whilst giving the potential employer an insight in to why they could potentially be an ideal fit, with the two, therefore, going hand in hand.

As the first document that a recruiter may read, it is fundamentally important to make an impact with a cover letter, and try to be as original as possible; highlight to the reader why you are right for the position, and encourage them to keep going, giving them an insight into both your personality, achievements and writing abilities. Here are some top tips to remember…

1. Professionalism – Remember to always be professional, just as you would be in an interview

2. Spelling – First impressions count for everything, so make sure your spelling and grammar are word perfect, spell check, and get friends and family to proof read aloud to make sure it reads well – Don’t just rely on a spell checker!

3. Remember what you’ve said – Keep a copy of what you’ve said and remember it, if your application were to progress it’s likely you may be questioned on it

4. Keep it short and sweet – employers don’t have the time to read an essay, so keep it simple and to the point, draw in their attention and try to be as specific and concise as possible

5. Personal approach – try to have someone to address the cover letter to and sign off using your name

6. Tailored to the job – Make it brief, to the point and most importantly relevant to the position you are applying for, some of us may be guilty of using the same cover letter without specifically tailoring it to the job in question

7. Sell Yourself – This is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd, so sell yourself and highlight what you can bring to the role and what makes you the perfect match.

8. Presentation – make it easy to read, using paragraphs and a suitable font size that looks clear and professional , make sure it looks polished and visually appealing

9. Enthusiasm – Be passionate about the job, and persuade the reader why you really want it, attract attention that will create an interview opportunity.

10. Don’t repeat your CV – explain your passion and motivation, don’t just rewrite a paragraph of your CV

A cover letter can potentially add the finishing touches, drawing an employer in to that all so important application.  A killer cover letter can be the perfect icing on the cake to a great application, taking you one step closer to that interview stage!

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