Why You Need A Cover Letter and How should be your cover letter

To cover letter or not to cover letter, and that is the question and the answer is yes. You should always send a cover letter with your resume unless the posting specifically says not to. In this article, I’m going to explain why you need a cover letter? What should be in your letter? And give you my three cover letter writing formula.

You may have heard the decade’s long debate on whether or not you need to send a cover letter with your resume when applying for jobs. I’m not going to debate it because the correct answer is yes. The only exception is if you’re applying for a job posting, and specifically say you not send a cover letter then don’t send them. There are several types of cover letters sourcing letters, introductory letters, career change letters, general cover letters, and cover letters when applying for job postings.

When I had advertised a job posting, I always request a resume and cover letter sometimes specifically asking for certain information to be included in a letter. I even put it in bold, and you want to know how many people actually send me a cover letter on average. Less than 20% send so for every 10 resumes receive, only one or two people actually follow the directions. So, persona starts by saying if you’re applying for a job posting, and specifically asks for a cover letter then you must send one. Because if you don’t your chance to resume may not even be looked at. You know why because the fact is specifically asked for a cover letter and you didn’t send one shows.

A. You can not follow directions.

B. You put a minimum effort in applying which shows a lack of serious interest in the opportunity.

C. You haven’t answered to specific question they may have asked you to indicate in a letter such as your salary expectations.

D. You absolutely missed out on the opportunity to sell yourself by drawing attention to why you are the best candidate for the role and mentions anything unique and relevant that isn’t covered in your resume.

Why do I need to write a cover letter?

Searching for a job and changing occupation in today’s market involves competition. You need to know how to take advantage of every chance to showcase your skills and abilities, so that, everyone approaches can see your potential value. Your cover letter is not intended to parrot everything that’s already in your resume. It’s meant to complement your resume and gives you the opportunity to convey your personality, passion, and explain why would be a good fit for the position, company, or team. Your cover letter also provides another place to incorporate keywords and phrases from specific postings that may not be otherwise covered in your resume, which can assist in meeting the criteria that ATS Systems used to screen for potential candidates. It also provides the opportunity to sell the employer and why they should consider you above all other applicants.

As a recruiter and former hiring manager when I’m hiring for position communications, public relations, marketing, sales, business development, or administration. I look at your cover letter as a sample of how you would write a business letter and communicate. So, starting to understand why a cover letter so important? Put yourself in the role of the hiring person, they have received dozens often hundreds of resumes. A well-written cover letter is kind of like an invitation and makes the reader curious about you.

If your cover letter has a positive impact the look forward to reading your resume and fall likely without the quick eyes scanning the resumes without a cover letter often received. When I am wearing my recruiter hat all admit I often scan the resume first to make sure you have the basic criteria of what I’m looking for and then I read your cover letter. But often it’s your cover letter that helps you decide if you’re going to my pile which is where I choose my shortlist from.

How should be your cover letter

1. You need to make yourself stand out!

Every hiring manager has seen those uninspiring cover letters that basically give the message “my resume is attached hopefully; find me interesting enough to want to interview me.” This is a waste of your time and the person reading it. If you’re going to put in a little effort then yeah don’t bother, putting in a poor effort is going to yield you poor results. Every job opening opportunity it’s about finding a person who can bring real value to the company. Listing your jobs, duties, and accomplishments in your resume may not be enough impact. After all, you’re competing with others who have the same job titles and very similar responsibilities in their work history. Your goals and writing your cover letter are to convey your existing value and your future potential. Show how you understand your target market, recognize which of your qualifications will stand out, and elevate your competition.

2. How formal should the letter be?

As a business letter, it needs to be professional and appropriate here is a few basic guidelines. Your contact info should be at the top and should include your address, telephone, and e-mail information. Match the style and layout used for your resume then insert the date and the company’s name and address, it shows you make an effort. Then insert the name and title of the addressee whenever possible. If you know the name of the company that takes 60 seconds to call and ask for the name and title of the person to address your cover letter to. Those 60 seconds of effort may be the difference between you and another candidate making a pile.

3. Do not use Dear, Sir/Madam or to whom it may concern

This is passé it conveys a lack of effort to find out who actually send your letter to. Lax originality and gives the impression you have the same form letter for every application you make. Salutation line this is optional, and you may not know whether it’s Mr. and Mrs. and you don’t want to make an error write at the start. So another option which is now quick customary is to use the first name only like, “Dear Kelly” whiles it is last formal eliminates the concern of the person’s gender.

4. Make your cover letters a great first’s impression

You’re going to take the time to write a cover letter to make it a great first impression. Remember your cover letter is a reflection of you and gives the reader a partial impression of whom you are. And the type of effort you put into your job search and possibly the quality of your work.

5. Your cover letter should be concise and impactful.

Which as you heard, I talk about Earlier, it’s extremely important for applying for administrative, marketing, writing, sales, and management position, or any line of work. That involves written correspondence or report writing. There are rare exceptions for C-level or specialty roles and industries but, for the most part, your cover letter should never exceed one page. No one wants to read a novel it should be concise and impactful.

Now, let me give you my three-step formula for writing your perfect cover letter. Your cover letter should form three, parts of the opening and metal paragraphs, and a closing.

Step one Opening

Which should consist of a short paragraph to show purpose and answer the readers’ questions such as, why is this person writing to me? How is this grabbing my attention?

Step two Middle paragraphs

This is the needy part of your letter it’s the most important impactful part of your letter where you will demonstrate your value. My secret tip to teaching people what to write in their letter is to reverse engineer your thought process. Instead of trying to think of what to say, I want to think about it from their reader’s perspective and answer these questions from their point of view. What does this person have that’s of value to me or my department or my company? Why does this person want to work for our organization or company? What evidence is there that they are a good fit for this position?

Hot Tips

Help you to answer these three questions here are my four hot tips.

• Number one to help demonstrate in value you can use bulleted points, managerial skills, experienced, abilities, and are potential with the position and the company.

• Number two this is your chance to incorporate keywords and phrases from the posting that may not be otherwise covered in your resume. This will also help ATS Systems recognize you’re a matching candidate and will meet the criteria of the hiring manager.

• Number three when advertisement requests specific show a match would whether asking for a by giving an example of the past accomplishment that similar to what they’d mention. This provides evidence for why you are a great fit.

• Number for you can also include other attributes such as industry knowledge, relevant training you taken, demonstrated ability special or related achievement or rewards or likeness to a path position.

Step three closing

When responding to an advertised position you want to keep your ending short and sweet and don’t beg for an interview. Just, thank them for considering you, and if you like say something like “I welcome the opportunity to speak with you further to discuss my background and how I can contribute to your team or organization.” It wasn’t that easy.

I hope these tips help you grab a great cover letter for your next job posting.