Write a cover letter for any job in just 7 steps
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Sometimes, writing a cover letter for a job may feel like making up fanfiction about working for an employer. For some job seekers, it’s an extra load on an already exhausting job search. Why should you write a cover letter if it is additional work? Because it pays off during the job hunt.
Your resume is a professional report of your best professional achievements and skills. It does not explain why any employer should hire you for the position. Writing a cover letter gives you a chance to convince an employer that you are the best match for the job. Also, you get to let your amazing personality peek through when you create a cover letter.
Here’s what you must do to write a catchy cover letter:
1. Create a header
Make yourself a matching cover letter by using the same header from your resume for the cover letter. The header of your cover letter must contain your full name, job title, phone number, and email address.
2. Address the reader
Always mention the date and location once you finish with the header. Next, address the cover letter directly to the hiring manager using their name. If you don’t know the name of the hiring manager, you can Google the company to find out. The LinkedIn page of the employer is a good place to get the info you need. Always address the hiring manager by name as it increases the chance of your letter getting read. Some good addresses are:
- Dear Jonathan,
- Dear Ms. Kaputski,
- Dear Mr. Raul,
3. Introduce yourself
The first sentence of your cover letter will determine whether the employer will read it through or not. Start your cover letter off with a bang to get the attention of the recruiter. Most successful cover letters start by highlighting achievements, passion, and enthusiasm, and using name-dropping.
4. Show them how you are the perfect fit
Use the second paragraph or the main body of your cover letter to show the hiring manager that you have the qualities they are looking for. A good cover letter always finds a problem that the employer is facing at the moment and provides a solution for it in the main body. Show the employer how you are an expert in your field and how your previous experience will help you help them succeed. This is also a good place to mention a referral in your cover letter.
5. Highlight your motivation
Employers love to hear what motivated you to want to work for them. Today, hiring managers are more concerned with finding employees who would love working for the company to reduce turnover rates. Use the third paragraph of your cover letter to show the hiring manager why you want to work for their particular company and how passionate you are about joining the team.
6. Add a call for action
The way you end your cover letter will tell the employer a lot about your character. Provide value with the last paragraph of your cover letter. Emphasize what you have to offer the employer and tell them that you are looking forward to meeting them to talk about your future at the company.
7. Add a formal salutation
The formal closing you put at the end of the cover letter will define the finish of the whole document. Avoid coming off as too friendly or too casual with the salutation. Follow the salutation with your full name and add a handwritten signature for a more formal end. Here are some salutations that you can use:
- Sincerely,
- Thank you,
- Best regards,
- Kind regards,
- Respectfully yours,
- With best regards,
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