As a business owner – I have read many cover letters and have gone through many applications. Here are 5 tips about how to write the perfect cover letter.
Cover letters are a great way to help you make a good impression and increase your chances of getting a call back.
1. Be brief
Cover letters are meant to be concise, and you never copy and paste information from your resume in the letter. It should act as an introduction to yourself and show your enthusiasm for the position and the company.
2. Stand out from the crowd
List why you are best suited for the role and highlight that you are looking forward to hearing from the prospective employer. It should showcase how your skills and experiences line up with what the employer is looking for. You need to spend the time to highlight why you want to work for the company.
3. Do your homework
Make sure that you tailor the cover letter for the position that you are applying for – it is so easy to spot when a cover letter is too generic! Is there something specific about the company you can mention to show you have done your homework? Such as a new product launch etc.
Take a specific detail from the job ad and elaborate on it to showcase that you have done your homework about the position and the company.
4. End your letter with flourish
The most important thing you can do with a cover letter is make the reader envision you as part of their team. Always end the letter with a few things that you believe make you a better pick versus all the other applicants and that you are eager to meet with them!
5. Proofread!
It sounds simple but I have received my fair share of cover letters with spelling errors. Take a final look before submitting your letter to make sure that it is as polished as it can be. Take another look at the job posting and make sure that your cover letter hits on the important points and words from the job ad.
Good luck with your job search and let us know if you have any other tips that you’d like to share!
