A well-written cover letter is a powerful tool for job seekers. It will help you stand out from the pack and catch the attention of potential employers. But how do you write a cover letter that will impress?
A cover letter should be taken just as seriously as any other aspect of your application, and given proper consideration before writing it. This article will help guide you through how to write a good cover letter for a jobseeker.
Step 1: choose the best cover letter template.
The template you are choosing should be the right one for your format. There are different templates you can use to write your cover letter; either MLA or APA. This will determine how you will set up your paper such as margins, fonts, and headings.
Step 2: Start with the header of your cover letter.
The header of an official cover letter should include your name and contact information such as phone number and email address in the top right-hand corner.
Step 3: Cover Letter Salutations.
This is an important part which should be followed to make your letter stand out from the rest. There are different ways to start your cover letter with a salutation such as “Dear Mr. Jones”, “To whom it may concern”, etc.
Step 4: Introduce yourself in the introductory paragraph.
The first impression your letter leaves on the employer’s mind should be that it is personal and friendly. Be sure to make your letter stand out by adding a professional tone with quotes, and personal stories.
Step 5: Introduce your cover letter topic.
Be sure to follow the popular formats for you to use such as chronological format, functional format, etc… but do not repeat them all at once. You should also avoid using cliché phrases such as “I am interested in this job because”.
Step 6: Explain what you can bring to the company.
In the second paragraph, explain why your skills and experience are a good fit for the position being advertised. Be specific and focus on your accomplishments and skills that will help benefit the company or position of interest.
In this section, you should acknowledge any previous experience that is related to the position you are applying for. This will show the employer that you have taken the time to research their company and their needs.
This section allows you to briefly talk about any challenges or problems you have resolved at your current job, or at past companies. This can be an opportunity to brag while still being professional in nature.
step 7: Conclude with a call to action.
Wrap up your cover letter by adding a call to action. You should ask the employer to get in touch with you if they are interested in your services.
Step 8: End with a good formal closing.
Your cover letter should end with a strong closing statement. You can sign off with your name under the header, or if you are sending the letter electronically such as through email, you can choose to sign it off with a simple “Sincerely”.
Conclusion
Follow the steps above to create a cover letter that will help you stand out from the crowd.