A cover letter is a vital aspect of a job application. This is the first thing a hiring manager is supposed to go through before getting to your resume. The whole point of a cover letter is to introduce yourself, highlight relevant qualities for the job, and elaborate on your interest in the job. This is why you need to be able to write a good cover letter, or else you might not be leaving a good impression on the interviewers.
What is a Cover Letter?
This is known to be a one-page document which is submitted with your CV or job application. This piece of document generally shows your enthusiasm for the job role and offers you with some relevant information about your qualifications, skills and experience.
The resume has details about your career history in a structured and bullet-pointed format, where the cover lets you introduce your personality and convey your interests to the interviewer. You also get to describe why you are an ideal person for the job role in the company.
What Should be the Length of a Cover Letter?
A common question most individuals and job seekers have in their mind is ‘how long should a cover letter be?’. There is no hard and fast rule for this, but 25-400 words are considered to be an ideal length. You should make it brief, to the point, and easy to read, which perfectly conveys important information about you to the hiring manager without overwhelming him/her. A short and concise cover letter is highly likely to be effective and impactful while you focus on the key details aligning with the job role and details in the company.
Cover Letter: What are the Types
You should know about the different types of cover letters. The purpose of each of these differs. Some of these different types are given below.
Targeted Cover Letter
It is considered the most common type of cover letter. This document is specifically tailored for the job role that you are applying for. It effectively highlights your experience and skills, which perfectly align with the job role.
General Cover Letter
As the name suggest, this type of cover letter mainly used for general purpose during job application. If you wish to apply for multiple positions in an industry or a company, then you are supposed to utilize this kind. It helps you to provide you with a broader and comprehensive overview of your experience, skills and qualifications.
Letter of Interest
This type of cover is quite similar to that of a general cover letter. It is likely to be used when there is no particular job opening in a company. Through this type of cover letter, you can effectively express your interest and enthusiasm for an organization. This also lets you exhibit your relevant qualifications and skills.
To Whom It May Concern Letter
This is known to be less popular and less used. In case, you do have a specific person to address, then you are supposed to use this kind of cover. This lets you address someone generally.
Letter of Introduction
This type is used when you are looking for a job through networking or personal connections. Using this cover letter, you get to introduce who might be able to help you get a job or provide you with the necessary guidance.
How to Write a Cover Letter?
You need to know how to write a cover letter. This is how you would be able to enhance your chance of landing a job. Here are steps that you need to follow to effectively write a cover letter.
Research about the Company
You must do detailed research about the company for which you will give the interview. Know everything about the company and explore about its values, mission, vision and other aspects.
Determine Your Key Skills
It is also essential for you to identify the key skills that perfectly complement the job role in the company. You must mention these key skills in the cover letter to highlight why you are perfect for the job.
Write a Strong Opening
There should be a strong opening in it to get the attention of the hiring manager. Strong attention is the best way to get the interviewer hooked.
Closing Paragraph
Adding an interesting or feel-good closing paragraph in your cover letter is vital which reiterates your interests. It will leaves a good impress about you on your interviewer.
Add a Call to Action
It is also important for you to add a call to action tone to your closing paragraph. This will prompt the interview to think of giving you’re a chance in their company.
Tips to Consider While Writing a Cover Letter
There are several aspects that you need to consider. Here are some tips that you need to follow while writing a cover letter for your next job hunting.
Be Specific
You should not beat around the bush. The hiring manager or the interviewer does not have the entire day for you. Hence, be as specific as possible. Explain your skillset and experience that perfectly aligns with your job role.
Tailor It
Tailoring it with proper customization is another important aspect for you to consider. You should tailor it in accordance with a particular job application.
Proofread Carefully
Proofreading is vital. There should not be any factual error, grammatical errors, spelling or punctuations mistakes, else the interviewer will have a negative impression about you.
The Tone Should Be Professional
While writing the cover letter, you are required to use a professional tone to convey your message to the interviewer. This is quite an important factor to consider.
Follow the Instructions
If there are any specific submission or formatting requirements, then you need to strictly stick to it while writing.
Cover Letter: Letter of Interest
This is a type which is also known as a prospecting letter. It is generally sent when no particular job opening is there. It helps you to express your enthusiasm and interest about the company and any opportunities that might be there. This shows your proactive approach to networking and getting potential job offers. If you wish to know how to write a letter of interest, then you should show your enthusiasm and interest in their company first.
It is also important for you to do detailed research on the company, its business, services, and products. Get a complete idea of what they do, their mission, vision, and other aspects. Here is a structure that you can decide to follow if you want:
Introduction
You should give a brief introduction about yourself. Mention who you are and why you are interest about the company and their potential job prospect. It should also be mentioned how you came to know about them.
Body
In the body, you are supposed to talk about your skills, qualifications and prior work experience (if any) that perfectly aligns with company’s requirements. This will show your enthusiasm about the company and their potential job requirement even if there is no current opening.
Closing
The closing should convince the hiring manager or the interview that you would be a great fit for their company. You must mention how you would be able to contribute to the company in future.
Conclusion
A concise and well-written cover letter could be a vital tool for you to land a job in a company. A lot of job seekers ignore or overlook the importance of a good cover letter. But you should not make the same mistake. Rather, proceed to make a professional, customized, and concise to sell yourself to the interviewer.
The interviewer gets to screen you through your cover letter. It is vital for you to mention all your skills, qualities, and prior work experience that perfectly aligns with the job role in the company. This is how it will increase your chance of getting hired for the job.
FAQs
Should You Check a Short Cover Letter Sample Before Writing One?
Ans: Yes, you can do that because then you can have a clear idea about how to go about it from the cover letter sample.
When is the ‘To Whom It May Concern Letter’ used?
Ans: When you are not sure who is the recipient of your letter, or you simply do not know the name of the recipient, then you can use this type of cover letter.
What is a Letter of Introduction?
Ans: As its name suggests, you get to introduce yourself through this document.
Should You Check Out a Letter of Interest Sample?
Ans: Yes, it will give you a clear idea about the Letter of Interest then.
What Does ‘Noticed’ Mean in a Cover Letter?
Ans: It means grabbing the interest of the reader in the first paragraph of your cover letter by expressing your enthusiasm for the company.
How to Start a Letter?
Ans: First, you should introduce yourself by providing basic details about yourself.
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