Professional Cover Letter Best Practices

Professional Cover Letter Best Practices

You have worked hard to make the resume perfect. You have shortlisted the best jobs. You have even planned and prepared for the interview. Now, you have to write the cover letter before you can send the application.

Many people wonder whether a cover letter is even read. Most hiring managers won’t just read this letter. To them, it is a key part of your job application. It highlights your strengths, shows them your writing ability, tells them that you are serious about the job… most importantly… the cover letter gives them the first impression of who you are and what you can offer to the business. It is critical.

Luckily, writing a cover letter is easy, if you know how to do it. Here are some very useful tips –

• Write Unique Cover Letters for All Jobs

You may feel tempted to use the same cover letter again and again. This can be a huge mistake. Employers will want to see that you have written something unique for them. This tells that you are serious about the job and really care. They look at resumes and cover letters all the time and can thus easily tell if you have made the extra effort.

It is okay if you recycle some phrases and strong sentences. But do make sure that it is not 100% generic. Your application could be tossed away. This will also tell them that you have been applying for some time without much success.

• It Should Be Easy to Read

Nobody enjoys difficult to read text. Hiring managers have a busy schedule. So, make it easy for them. Select a formal font like Georgia, Arial, or Helvetica. The font size should be between 10 and 12. Remember, a business letter must be conservative. Also, ensure that the font size and style of your cover letter is matching with what you have on the resume. The margin should be between 1 and 1.5-inch.

• It Should Be Short

Recruiters don’t like to read cover letters that go beyond one page. They may see this as bragging. The industry standard is also a single page. It should have only 3 to 4 paragraphs, between 250 and 450 words.

• The Introduction Is Very Important

The first impression always matters, particularly when you are writing to get a job. Large businesses often receive thousands of letters from the applicants. You will rarely find a hiring manager who will go through all the cover letters and resumes received.

Your introduction should be attention-grabbing, so that the reader is compelled to notice it and keep reading. However, most cover letter openings are too generic. Make it special. Spend time planning and writing it. You can also get help from professional cover letter writers. This is really very important.

• Address the Hiring Manager

Best, address the letter by using the person’s first and last name. Include Mr. or Ms., like “Dear Ms. Julie Ann” or simply “Dear Ms. Ann”. Some industries are more casual than others. In such cases, you may not mention the last name and the title (Dear Julie) – this is also acceptable. If you are not completely sure, then it is best to stay on the safe side.

You should never make generic salutations, such as “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern”. This is very stiff and impersonal. Always customize the letter. If you don’t know the name of the hiring manager, then address it to the head of the group where you want to join.

• Go Beyond the Resume

Many applicants make the mistake of mentioning what’s already there in the resume. Never repeat yourself. If you just repeat, then what is the purpose of writing a cover letter? This is not the place where you elaborate about your last job or your precise work responsibilities. You can do this at the interview if you are presented with the opportunity.

You should, instead, show why you are the best candidate for the position. Mention, how you made a critical difference by improving a process, boosting the sales figure, and such others. tell them about your personality, work ethics, passion, and hobbies. You can even discuss current and relevant issues in your industry. This will showcase that you are at expert.

• Close With a Compelling Call to Action

It is now time to finish your cover letter. Write the conclusion. In the last paragraph, you have to say everything you couldn’t before. Do you have any other information to share that can impress the hiring manager? Finally, thank the reader for the time. Always be courteous, but do not appear too needy. Finish your letter with a call to action. You can ask the recruiter to go through your resume and consider you for the position.

Always check the cover letter thoroughly before sending it. Better still, ask your friend to take a look. Two sets of eyes are always better than one. Also, ask your friend how the letter is sounding. Is it impressive? Does it convey who you are, what you have achieved, and what you can offer to the business? Go back to the letter if you have even the slightest hesitation. Edit/make changes to improve the cover letter.