Write a cover letter to go with your resume

When you are just starting out, it is difficult to get noticed by any employer. This discourages many job seekers. The first thing you should understand when looking for a new job is that it is difficult for everyone.

But there are job seekers who send out only a few job applications and get noticed by employers right away. These are the job seekers who are using the right job-hunting strategies. Basically, it involves creating a strong set of job-hunting documents and doing adequate interview prep.

But what are the job-hunting documents that you must have to win a great job offer? First comes a strong resume that highlights your biggest selling points. Next comes an attractive cover letter that ties back all your experiences and qualifications to the new job. Then, you will also need additional documents like KSA’s or professional references depending on the kind of job you want.

Today, we are going to discuss how you can write a winning cover letter to go alongside your strong resume so that you can stand out to employers.

Narrate your career story

Most cover letters we see on a daily basis follow the same old boring structure that they have copied off a template from the internet. Hiring managers read hundreds of job applications for each post they advertise, so they can easily recognize a cover letter that has been altered from a generic template. If you want to create a lasting impression, you should narrate your unique career story through your cover letter.

Don’t list your skillset

The cover letter is not a place for you to list your skills and experiences in the long form. Many job seekers make the mistake of doing that and lose valuable opportunities because of it. Even if you don’t have the right kind of experience yet, your cover letter should show a potential employer that the experience and the skills you currently possess have made you the perfect candidate for the position.

Do your research

You need to invest a little bit of time into researching the employer and the company before writing your cover letter. Add a personal touch to the letter by addressing the hiring manager by their name instead of the generic “Dear hiring manager” greeting. The company website and social media pages should give you a lot of information about the values they admire in a potential candidate. You can incorporate those values into your cover letter.

Match it to the resume

Make your resume and cover letter look like a cohesive unit by incorporating similar design elements into both documents. Use the same fonts and headers for both your resume and cover letter. If you have a personal branding embedded header or letterhead, you can add that to your cover letter. The more personal branding your cover letter contains, the more unique it will be.

Showcase your enthusiasm

Employers like it when you show that you are excited to work with them. Show the hiring manager that you are passionate about the same values as them through your cover letter. Express your interest in the position as well as the company. Never let the hiring manager get the idea that you are in it just for the paycheck. Showcasing your interest in your cover letter is one of the best ways to earn some major brownie points.