One of the most tedious parts when applying for a job—aside from making a resume—is writing a letter of application (also known as an application or cover letter).
This part is where most candidates often get stuck. While some companies don’t care, you might apply to a firm that does.
As such, you must write a strong application letter that convinces recruiters to hire you.
Where do you start? Well, we present to you six solid tips on how to write a good cover letter.
Research First.
Before starting, make sure to research the company. Try to learn more about the executives and employees by visiting their website. Usually, information about the organization is available on the “About Us” page.
Doing so also helps you determine the right tone when writing your cover letter. Find out whether the company presents itself as serious and formal. Or if they add a bit of fun to their copy.
If you know someone within the firm, it’s best to ask them who the hiring manager is. If not, perhaps you can send an email or a message on LinkedIn about who to address the letter to.
While you may not always get a response, it’s still worth trying.
Write a Strong Opening.
More often than not, the first paragraphs of most cover letters talk about how the applicant learned about the job opening.
Not only is this a waste of space, but it is a weak introduction. According to an article by Harvard Business Review, to get a job, you must be good at storytelling.
Write a good cover letter by showing your enthusiasm for the position. Be sure to bring up any relevant work experience right away.
For instance, you can write about your profession and how long you have been working. Don’t forget to let headhunters know how excited you are about this opportunity.
Highlight What You Can Bring to the Table.
Continuing the previous point, the body of the letter should focus on how your skills can help solve a company problem.
You can base this on your prior research. Let’s say, the organization needs a graphic designer. Look into their current style and then suggest ways to improve or enhance it. Or if not, explain how your aesthetic fits the company.
You can also talk about previous experiences that helped refine your skills better.
Let the hiring manager know if you lack experience in a specific area, but always that you are willing to adapt and learn.
Keep Your Letter Short and Simple.
No hiring manager wants to read a letter that is three pages long. They don’t have the time.
As such, keep your cover letter to just one page.
It should be short enough to be read at a glance yet packed with all the relevant information about you.
Have a Couple of Friends Take a Look.
Lastly, before sending your letter of application in (along with your resume), have someone read it first.
This way, they can give you feedback on which areas to trim, change, or remove entirely.
After all, a fresh set of eyes can provide excellent insight to improve your letter.
Bonus: Font Style Matters.
While this may not seem important to you, font style does matter.
Thus, make sure to pick a font that looks professional. The most popular choices are Arial, Times New Roman, and Calibri. The standard size is 12 points (although some say 10 and 11 are acceptable too).
Please don’t choose fonts that are too hard to read, like Brush Script (or any cursive fonts for that matter) or worse, Comic Sans.
So, there you go, those are our tips for writing a good cover letter. Hopefully, making a letter of application will be easier for you now.
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