In spite of this, you still have to write the letter. The main aim here is to ensure that it stands out. The following are approaches on how to write that killer job application.
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Appearance
If your overall presentation is not of the highest quality, then it won’t get the respect it warrants. Ensure that you tune up your curriculum vitae together with your cover letter. Begin by following a simple layout. Have a letterhead that displays your name in a bold, large font at the top, center of the letter. Next, on one line below, type your name, address, phone number, and email address (in the absence of a letterhead, place your name, address, telephone number and email address in a heading in the top-left corner).
Then, the company heading should be placed as close to the top left corner as possible. It should contain the name of the one receiving the letter, job title, company name and company’s address. At the top right-hand corner of the letter, the date should be written in the following format; February 19th, 2018.
Furthermore, the salutation should be placed several lines below. A subject line should also be placed below the salutation, for instance: RE: Administrative Assistant, Job ID: EF2 – 2129855.
The body of your letter ought to have three paragraphs only: introduction, middle section, and conclusion. The paragraphs should be brief; mostly three to five sentences each. Ensure that you utilize the correct terminology and active language. Don’t use unnecessary words.
The last statement is your farewell or a valediction. It ought to be brief and genuine. Then you place your first and last name a few spaces below the valediction.
The Salutation
When you’re writing a cover letter, ensure that you address the exact person who will receive it. You’ll have to research that person beforehand. You can find information about the recipient from the company’s website or you can liaise with the company’s HR division.
If you are unable to find the hiring manager, go to LinkedIn and look for profiles that meet the criteria. If you come across someone who states that he or she is in charge of hiring new employees for the company or organization in your region, include his or her name in your cover letter.
In the event that you don’t find the recipient’s name, worry not. The most conventional way to address a cover letter is ‘Dear Hiring Manager’, followed by a colon or comma. On the other hand, most job seekers prefer to address their letters with ‘Dear Sir or Madam’.
In addition, don’t begin by stating ‘To whom it may concern’. HR personnel often remove these letters from the rest due to the broadness of the salutation. It also shows how unconcerned you are. Your salutation should be stated in the simplest way possible – address your reader properly.
The Introduction
For you to stand out, you need to have a captivating first sentence. Imagine this; the recruiter has the tough job of going through many cover letters each day. All letters that he reads probably have the same format, and in the end, he or she gets tired of reading the same thing. That is the reason why you have to grab their attention.
We recommend that you begin your letter by stating the plain truth. For instance, ‘I have eight years’ experience in the sales and marketing field, and I hope that I will be considered for the position of Sales and marketing manager’. Whatever the case, it is essential for you to be clear and concise. Remember to also state how you found out that the company is hiring.
If you were referred by someone within the organization, make a point of mentioning his or her name and position in the first sentence. The opening paragraph is supposed to show why you are the most suitable person for that company. Mention two or three qualifications which you have that suit the position, drawing upon the skills you’ve mentioned in your resume (Pay attention to these qualifications as you write your letter, as you’ll have to expound on them in the subsequent paragraphs). Whatever you choose to include, don’t simply talk about what’s contained in your CV. The cover letter is supposed to divulge your strengths within your skill set, therefore, showcase your abilities appropriately.
The Midsection
The second paragraph is for providing definite examples of your qualifications. The organization that you wish to work for has a specific need that they want to fill. Ensure that you target that need. Mention a few activities that you’ve engaged in that make you suitable for that position.
This is where your storytelling skills are needed the most. When writing the letter, describe scenarios where you succeeded in overcoming several obstacles in a recent job. Every instance should portray how you meet the need that the organization or company is looking for.
For instance, if the position calls for troubleshooting skills, then explain how you handled that particular tech issue. The story should contain new information concerning your abilities and skills, within the context of your resume.
Remember, do not copy and paste details of your CV into your cover letter. You won’t be able to ‘wow’ the hiring manager, forcing him or her to put your resume aside.
In addition, you can use bullet points in the middle paragraph of your letter. Utilizing bullet points is one way of getting the reader’s attention. However, it can also distract from a well-thought-out story.
The Conclusion
It ought to be the shortest of all paragraphs. The final paragraph has 3 features; an interest in an interview, appreciation for the opportunity and an invitation to examine the resume. Firstly, you need to direct the hiring manager to look at your resume. If the letter is digital, state something like ‘Kindly consider my attached resume for the position.’ If the letter’s physical, refer to the resume as ‘enclosed.’
If you’re applying online, we recommend that you put hyperlinks to relevant web pages in the last paragraph, for example, ‘Kindly go to my LinkedIn page.’
Furthermore, mention that you’re interested in meeting the hiring manager. This could imply a face-to-face interview. In some instances, most hiring departments choose to interview over the phone or via Skype. Therefore, keep the method of the interview unclear. For instance, ‘I would like to arrange for an interview to talk about my qualifications and to learn more about the company.’
In this section, it is also acceptable to state the fact that you are available immediately if called upon and your salary is negotiable. Even though these aren’t requirements for the cover letter, some positions are greatly desirable and thus you may want to express your eagerness this way.
Remember to thank the hiring manager for his or her time. If you show your appreciation in a genuine manner, as well as your interest in filling the advertised position, the hiring manager will be more apt to consider your application. Don’t just presume that your abilities can speak for themselves.
The Valediction
The closing statement in your cover letter should be brief and sweet. The two most acceptable valedictions are; ‘Best regards’ and ‘Sincerely’ (even though most people shorten Best regards to jus ‘Best’).
One thing to note is that if you are writing to an employer in the United Kingdom, the most effective valediction is ‘Faithfully.’
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned something about how to write a killer application, why don’t you go ahead and write your resume? Are there any other tactics that have been left out? Leave a comment!
BIO: Alice Jones is a tutor & high skilled web content writer. Love sharing tips and topics about education, management, and marketing. She studied Arts in English at the University of New Orleans. She likes to read different book genres, to attend refresher training and various personal development courses. Connect with her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.
