A well drafted cover letter is a door that leads to the resume, the resume then leads to the interview and interview to the final job. Cover letters should be clear, concise & no longer than a page.
Pasted below are some tips on writing a cover letter that will make the process a little easier. Simple, short and to the point, here they are –
- Do not reiterate what is already there on your resume.
- Write it in a manner as if you are talking directly to the person reading it
- Writing a cover letter is just like telling a story. The story of how you came to apply for the job and why do you think you are a good fitment for the role.
- The cover letter is a place to highlight your significant accomplishments that relates to the job you are applying for. It doesn’t mean reiterating a list of accomplishments from your resume but an opportunity to give additional information.
- Job seekers have a hard time talking about themselves. Let me tell you that you are the only person to sell your candidature to a potential employer, hence don’t exaggerate it too much neither lie. Articulate well on the achievements that you feel will help you sell your candidature for this role.
- Try to limit your Cover letter to a single page. Be succinct.
- Show some personality traits, but avoid hard-sell, gimmicky, or unorthodox letters.
- Best practice is to tailor your cover letter to each job opportunity. Highlight, if possible, some knowledge of the organization to which you are applying.
- Write in a style clear; avoid long and intricate sentences and paragraphs. Use action verbs and the active voice; convey confidence, optimism, and enthusiasm coupled with professionalism.
- Assess the employer’s needs and your skills & then try to match them in a way that will appeal to the employer’s self-interest.
