Crafting what is in a Cover letter
COVER LETTER WRITING
Are you writing a bland one page cover letter detailing your experience and skills? Crafting what is in a cover letter can give you an edge.
Employers want to learn how you will fit into their specific position. If you are able to present a letter that is concise and fits in one page, you may have the interest of the prospective employers. A compelling cover letter may give you an edge.
You need to tell the employer why you are a great fit for their specific job. Start with an exciting introduction. Use a success story from a previous job to grab the reader's attention. Then explain with a series of examples detailing your specific accomplishments.
Use your cover letter to tell something about your interests or hobbies to show off some of your personality. Tell how you did something for a nonprofit and what you learned from it. It's okay to add some unexpected information.
Expand on the details about the job position. Tell them the special training you have or certificates earned to make you a good fit for the job. Provide a few examples of how your skills and experience help make you a good candidate with the perspective job you are applying for. This will help the person hiring you see how you can fit into that position. What is in a cover letter is important to getting the specific job.
Explain why you are applying for that specific position. Perhaps it's the company's emphasis on innovation. Let them know that you are interested in helping them make an impact, not just getting the job. Get as much knowledge about the job as you can so you can understand the benefits of working for that particular company.
Your cover letter should address your need to have this specific job. You have more opportunity to do this in your cover letter than your resume. You have an opportunity to explain and clarify your resume in your cover letter.
It is important not to repeat what is in your resume in your cover letter. What is in a cover letter will either interest the prospective employer or they will throw it in the reject pile. If your cover letter is interesting, they will read your resume. Communication skills are becoming more important as you advance through company ranks. Your cover letter is a great way to show off your abilities!