A well-written cover letter could make the difference between whether or not you get a job. Think about it – hiring managers look through dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes during the hiring process. Some other applicants will inevitably have similar qualifications as you, whether it is the same degree level and major, similar work experience, or similar skill sets. In situations like this, your cover letter could be the defining thing that makes the hiring manager pick your application over others who are ostensibly just as qualified as you. This is why it is essential that you not only submit a cover letter, but that you submit a great one in order to catch an employer’s eye.
Be sure that your cover letter elaborates on you as well as your qualifications.
Unlike a resume, which is a dry and bare bones presentation of your qualifications, your cover letter should flesh out your personal qualities as well as your experience. Do not simply reiterate the information that can be found on your resume, but rather use your cover letter as an opportunity to explain why a particular work experience makes you a good candidate for the job or exactly how your education has prepared you for the position. Mention particular skills you learned and how this can benefit the employer, and also use the cover letter to tell employers more about yourself. This does not mean that you should tell them your life’s story, but rather that you can provide some background information that would help hiring managers understand your passion for the job. For example, if you have always desired to work with people, mention this when you are applying for a position in human resources or customer service.
Always mention how you can benefit the company.
While listing your qualifications on your resume and then expanding on them in your cover letter can seem like an exercise in vanity, remember that in the end, it is not all about you. Companies want to find not only the most qualified individual for the job, but also the individual who can be of the most benefit to the work environment. To show that you have a lot to offer, directly mention exactly how your skill sets and work ethic can help the business. For example, if you are applying for a secretarial position, mention that your past work experience in similar positions will ensure that you will complete your work quickly and accurately and that your experience in working with computers will make it easy for you to grasp whatever programs and technologies that the company uses.
Finally, always check for spelling and grammatical errors.
Your cover letter can say a lot about you, and you want all of those things to be positive. If you turn in a cover letter riddled with errors, you run the risk of looking unprofessional and unreliable, which will undoubtedly be deal-breakers for many hiring managers. Always double, or even triple, check your cover letter before you submit it for consideration. It can even be of benefit to have someone else look over it because a fresh pair of eyes can catch mistakes you may not have even noticed.
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