The resume is important. It contains all your professional details into one list in a readable format for the employer. As important as a resume is, the cover letter can help you stand out the crowd and keep you at the edge.
A recruiter spends less than 10 seconds on your resume and a similar amount of time on your cover letter. Hence, like a well-written resume, a cover letter can help you bag an interview and is an important part of your job search. There are some specific details that you must highlight on your cover letter to catch the attention of the recruiter.
What does the recruiter look for in your cover letter?
#1 Special Details
Every job application would have a special detail in the description. A candidate that includes this ‘special detail’ on the cover letter would have an edge over others. Put in some time and effort to find this detail from the job application and include it in your cover letter.
This will hint them that you: Why? Doing this tells the recruiter that you:
- Are genuinely interested
- Have put in efforts
- Understand the position well
#2 Engage the Reader A
When you are writing a cover letter, remember that the recruiter will have a number of other cover letters from other candidates too. So, while you are working on your cover letter, make it engaging for the employer. While you are professionally drafting your cover letter, add a bit of your personality to give the reader an idea about who you are.
#3 Talk about the Company
Use your cover letter to share your knowledge about the company and excitement to join it. It conveys that you have done your homework about the company and you have an idea of what needs to be put on the table to get a task done. Avoid using clichés like “I need the job and it will be a great learning experience for you”. Talk what you can bring to the company.
#4 Connect the Dots
Your resume would not be able to capture the story behind. Therefore, use a cover letter to connect the dots and elaborate on the purpose. A good cover letter will show why you really care.
#5 Establish an Emotional Connection
A good cover letter features your reasons to be a part of the company and what attracts you to the company. You can do this in various forms from explaining your business model to how you are passionate about the products and services that the company or simply how can you contribute to the growth of the company.
#6 Be the Problem Solver
The job that you are applying to, would require you to solve some problems associated with the organization. In your cover letter, include a section where you would talk about different ways you can solve a problem. This attracts the recruiter towards you.
#7 Align Your Skills with the Company Needs
A generic cover letter that does not align with the job description is as good as no cover letter. Therefore, it is important to align your skills with the company’s needs in your cover letter as it gives the employer the idea that you have taken an effort to understand the organization and the position. Put your thoughts about how you are the perfect fit and include it in your cover letter.
#8 Do Not Sound like a Robot
It is essential that your cover letter does not sound like a robot and must have a human touch to it. Skills, education, qualifications are definitely important and so is your ability to put across your thoughts.
#9 Show Results
A great way to compliment your resume is by showing statistics on your cover page. It tells the employer that you are able of achieving results and take pride in whatever you are doing.
The Conclusion
It is usually smart to start your cover letter with a personal anecdote or an interesting line to engage the reader from the beginning. But you cannot take the entire page or first two paragraph just talking about yourself.
The next part after the introduction should be talking about the reasons why you fit into the role.
Make the most of your cover letter.
Author Bio
Akansha Arora is a professional writer and blogger who loves to pen down her views on a number of topics that interest a reader. She writes keeping in mind the current scenarios and wishes to keep her readers well informed. You can follow her on google.com/+AkanshaArora2112
