Why Cover Letters Matter More Than Ever
In today’s competitive job market, a compelling cover letter is no longer optional — it’s essential. While resumes provide a snapshot of your qualifications, a cover letter allows you to tell your story, connect with the hiring manager on a personal level, and demonstrate why you’re the perfect fit for the role. It’s your chance to go beyond the bullet points and showcase your personality, passion, and unique value proposition. Many candidates make the mistake of treating cover letters as an afterthought, but this is a huge missed opportunity. A well-crafted cover letter can be the deciding factor in landing your dream job, especially if you are applying in a field with many candidates. So, let’s dive into the top 5 secrets to crafting the best cover letter ever received and dramatically increasing your chances of getting hired.
Secret 1 Tailor to the Specific Job
The first secret to a standout cover letter is personalization. Generic cover letters are easily spotted and often discarded. You must demonstrate that you’ve taken the time to understand the specific job and the company’s needs. This shows initiative and genuine interest, setting you apart from applicants who are simply sending out mass applications. Spend some time researching the company and the role, and use this information to tailor your letter to address the specific requirements and expectations outlined in the job description. This demonstrates that you understand the role and have the relevant skills, as well as the ability to comprehend instructions and requirements.
Understanding the Job Description
Carefully read the job description and identify the key skills, experiences, and qualifications the employer is seeking. Highlight these in your cover letter, providing specific examples of how you’ve demonstrated these qualities in previous roles or experiences. For example, if the job description emphasizes project management skills, provide a brief example of a successful project you managed, highlighting your results and impact. Your cover letter is a chance to show how your skills and experience directly align with what the employer is seeking.
Highlighting Relevant Skills
When highlighting your skills, go beyond simply listing them. Instead, provide concise examples of how you’ve applied those skills in real-world situations. Quantify your achievements whenever possible (we’ll touch on that later), and focus on the skills that are most relevant to the specific job. For example, instead of just saying ‘Proficient in data analysis,’ you might say ‘Utilized data analysis skills to increase sales by 15% in Q4.’ This level of detail demonstrates your abilities and showcases your impact.
Secret 2 Showcase Personality and Passion
A great cover letter isn’t just a list of qualifications; it’s an opportunity to let your personality shine through. Employers want to hire people who are enthusiastic, engaged, and a good fit for their company culture. Injecting your unique voice into your cover letter can make you more memorable and help you connect with the hiring manager on a personal level. The best cover letters reflect your genuine interest in the role and the company and are written in a way that is authentic to you.
Injecting Your Unique Voice
Avoid sounding like a robot or using generic phrases. Use your own words to describe your experiences and your motivations. Share a brief anecdote or a personal connection to the company or the industry. This shows that you’re not just sending out a form letter but have a genuine interest in the opportunity. The goal is to create a connection with the hiring manager. This can be accomplished by showing your personality.
Demonstrating Genuine Enthusiasm
Express your excitement for the role and the company. Explain why you’re drawn to this particular opportunity and what aspects of the job excite you the most. Be specific. Did a particular project or initiative that the company undertook catch your eye? Do your research and show your enthusiasm and let the hiring manager know why you want to work for them. Even stating that you’ve been following their product/service for some time will show interest.
Secret 3 Quantify Your Achievements
Numbers speak louder than words. Whenever possible, quantify your achievements to demonstrate your impact and effectiveness. Instead of saying ‘Improved customer satisfaction,’ say ‘Increased customer satisfaction by 20% through implementing a new customer service strategy.’ Numbers provide concrete evidence of your accomplishments and make your cover letter more persuasive.
Using Numbers to Impress
Think about what numbers can best showcase your accomplishments. This may include percentages, dollar amounts, units sold, or any other measurable results. If you’re targeting a sales role, include the revenue that you were able to generate or the percentage of sales that you achieved. If it’s a project management role, highlight the percentage of projects that were completed on time or under budget. The key is to provide tangible evidence of your success.
Providing Specific Examples
Back up your claims with specific examples. Describe the actions you took to achieve your results. What strategies did you implement? What challenges did you overcome? Providing context and details helps the hiring manager understand the value you bring to the table and envision you succeeding in the role. Always provide the context and results. Anyone can make a claim, but only a good candidate can prove that claim.
Secret 4 Optimize for Readability
A well-written cover letter is useless if it’s difficult to read. Hiring managers are busy and may only spend a few seconds reviewing each cover letter. Make it easy for them to scan your letter and quickly understand your key qualifications and experiences. Clear formatting and strategic use of white space can greatly improve your cover letter’s readability. A simple layout can also make your letter stand out from the crowd.
Formatting for Easy Scanning
Use clear and concise language. Keep your paragraphs short and to the point. Use bullet points or numbered lists to highlight key accomplishments or skills. This makes it easy for the hiring manager to quickly grasp the most important information. Also, use a professional font and ensure there is enough white space between paragraphs and sections. Make your cover letter simple to read on mobile or desktop devices.
Using Strong Action Verbs
Start your sentences with strong action verbs to grab the reader’s attention and highlight your accomplishments. Instead of saying ‘Responsible for managing social media accounts,’ use ‘Managed social media accounts, resulting in a 30% increase in follower engagement.’ This approach makes your accomplishments more dynamic and impactful. Good action verbs include: achieved, designed, developed, implemented, led, managed, etc. Use a thesaurus to find variations on the verbs you are using.
Secret 5 Call to Action and Follow Up
Don’t just send your cover letter and hope for the best. Include a clear call to action and take the initiative to follow up. This demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and shows that you are proactive. A good call to action can include inviting the hiring manager to contact you for an interview or providing them with an email for additional questions. A follow-up will remind them of your interest.
Requesting an Interview
End your cover letter with a strong call to action. Clearly state your interest in the role and request an interview. For example, you could say, ‘I am eager to learn more about this opportunity and discuss how my skills and experience can benefit your team. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.’ This is the final and most important part of your cover letter. It should be clear about what you are looking for.
Following Up Promptly
Send a follow-up email a week or so after submitting your cover letter and resume if you haven’t heard back. Briefly reiterate your interest in the role and mention any key highlights from your application. This shows that you are proactive and helps keep you top-of-mind. Be polite in your follow-up. If you have not heard back, consider that they may have filled the role.
In conclusion, crafting the best cover letter ever received requires more than just listing your qualifications. It involves tailoring your letter to the specific job, showcasing your personality and passion, quantifying your achievements, optimizing for readability, and including a strong call to action. By following these 5 secrets, you’ll increase your chances of getting noticed, landing an interview, and ultimately securing your dream job.