Writing a cover letter can be challenging for many. You need to keep several things in mind and target the relevant points to attract the recruiter. Google SERPs are full of conventional tips, mostly focusing on the format of a cover letter. This blog post is a step beyond.
A good cover letter is the one that attracts the employer’s interest, increasing your chances of being shortlisted for an interview. According to a report, 83% of recruiters consider a cover letter to be an essential thing and believe it plays an important role in securing an interview.
This blog post provides five practical techniques for composing a cover letter that can help you land your dream job.
How to Write an Effective Job Cover Letter?
A cover letter is usually a single-page text that highlights your plus points and explains why you are a good fit for a particular job. If this is your first time writing a cover letter or you simply want to brush up on your proposal writing skills, consider the following points.
1. Avoid Complex Wording
When writing a cover letter, your aim should be to convey your message in easy wording. If you think using complex words can help impress recruiters, you are wrong. People always appreciate easy-to-read stuff. Write as if you’re explaining something to an 8th grader.
Also, try to keep your letter short, while highlighting the relevant info concisely and clearly. Stay on the point throughout the letter. If this seems like a tough job, you can opt to use online tools like AI Reworder.
This tool utilize artificial intelligence as an underlying technology to replace hard-to-read sentences with easier ones. They help simplify your writing and ensure you get your message across smartly.
Let’s explain how an AI rewording tool can help simplify complex writing through a visual demo. We took a hard-to-read text and ran it through an AI Reworder. The tool did an excellent job of replacing the complex words with easier ones.
As you can see in the above picture, the resulting text is more fluent and easier to read.
2. Understand Their Needs And Write Accordingly
Never use already written cover letters. Try to write a new letter every time you apply for a new job. Spend some time studying the company to understand what they do and how you can persuade them to consider your application.
For instance, if you’re applying for a job requiring e-commerce skills, be sure to mention all the similar projects you have done before.
Mention the similar tasks or projects you have accomplished during your professional career. Doing so will give employers the impression that you are quite familiar with what the vacant role requires.
3. Highlight The Key Info
Hiring managers don’t have enough time to spend on every application they receive. Usually, they look over an application for a few seconds. The most important thing they seek is relevant past work experiences.
So, you should not hesitate to discuss such experiences that match their company’s profile. You can highlight it using bold text or bullets. This way, you can make it easier for them to spot what they are looking for.
Don’t repeat anything already mentioned in your resume. Your cover letter should emphasize how you can bring great results to the company you’re applying for.
4. Never Discuss Your Shortcomings
Avoid mentioning your weaknesses. Only talk about how you can add value to their company, even if you don’t meet their job requirements. Accepting your shortcomings might give them the impression that you lack confidence.
If you fail to present yourself as a passionate candidate, chances are high that the hiring manager will reject your applications. So go with a positive vibe rather than highlighting your weak points.
5. Consider Your Letter's Overall Appearance
After writing your cover letter, double-check everything to ensure all information is well presented. You can proofread it yourself or have it done by someone else.
There shouldn’t be any repetition or grammatical mistakes especially when you’re applying for a writer role. The layout should be tidy and easy for the hiring manager to follow.
With the right design and formatting, your job letter will create a positive first impression. The recruiter will also realize that you pay close attention to detail. Putting in this extra effort will help make your application stand out. in
Conclusion
A cover letter is the first impression you give to the recruiters. Focus on mentioning what matters the most. It can be relevant to past experience or skills. Your letter should explain why you are a good fit for the vacant role. Stay on the point and avoid mentioning unnecessary stuff.