We’re living in a new world now, and an already tough job market has gotten even more competitive. The job market may be difficult, it is possible to land the job you’ve always dreamed of.
There are a few things every job hunter needs to have ready if they want to succeed in this ultra-competitive market.
You’ll want to reconnect with people in your professional network to see if they have any job leads. Your resume needs to be flawless and updated. And most importantly, you’ll want to have an eye-catching cover letter.
Some people find cover letters to be a waste of time, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. A truly eye-catching cover letter could help you snag the job you’ve always wanted.
If you want to learn how to write a professional cover letter, make sure you follow these 3 important tips.
1. Don’t Restate Your Resume
Employers ask people to write cover letters so they can learn more about your and your skills. Simply restating your job history won’t catch anyone’s eye, and doesn’t give you much room to talk about yourself.
Instead of rehashing what’s in your resume, pick a few skills or abilities that you want to highlight. Once you’ve done that, spend your time calling out examples of times you’ve successfully demonstrated your skills.
If you’re going for a business analyst position and want to point out your attention to detail, tell a story about the time you noticed an error in a report that could have cost your company a contract. A tutor that specializes in reading skills may talk about how they helped one student read at their grade level after one semester of work.
2. Get Outside Help
It can be difficult to handle a cover letter on your own. That’s why we recommend getting as much help as possible from other people.
Have a friend or professional colleague read your letter and ask them for suggestions. If you’re struggling with formatting your letter, consider using a customized template.
It’s also important to note that there are plenty of services out there that can help you write your cover letter, or even give you a custom cover letter for free. Check out local employment agencies and see if they have recommendations.
3. Copy the Company’s Voice
Your cover letter isn’t just a way for potential employers to learn about you, it also gives them the opportunity to see how well you’d fit into their organization.
Before you write any cover letter, take a moment to look at the company’s website and social media profiles. Learn how they talk about themselves, see what tone they write in, and get a feel for their unique voice.
Once you’ve done that, write your cover letter in a way that mirrors their tone. It’ll show the hiring manager that you understand their culture and they may see you as a good fit.
Go Beyond an Eye-Catching Cover Letter
Writing an eye-catching cover letter is simple when you know what to focus on. If you focus on your special skills, reach out for help, and mirror the company’s voice you’ll have a powerful cover letter.
Cover letters are only one thing you can do to improve your chances of getting a job. We have a lot of career advice on our website. Be sure to browse our posts so you can find answers to your most pressing job-related questions.
