How can you impress a potential employee?
CVs aren’t enough these days. If you’re applying for a new job, you’ll often have to send a covering letter as well as your CV, and if it isn’t up to scratch, you won’t be getting employed.
So how do you know where to start? With these tips, you’ll easily be able to write the perfect covering letter that will show off all your skills to the employer.
Meet the criteria
The job you’re applying for should have a list of specific criteria that candidates should meet. Take each one in turn and give examples of how you meet them in a succinct and professional way.
If you’re applying speculatively, think about the skills that are necessary for the job yourself and demonstrate why you have the right skillset.
Don’t repeat your CV
Remember that the employer will most likely be reading your CV after, so they don’t want to be reading the same thing twice.
Make sure that you are creative with your covering letter and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job you’re applying for.
Do your research
There’s nothing worse than having a covering letter addressed to the wrong person or to no specific person. Research the company as much as possible.
Another great tactic is to mention a recent project or campaign that the company has been fronting and why that has made you apply for the job. It will show to the employer that you’re targeting your application to the job.
Be specific
General covering letters are an immediate turn off. If you’re applying to more than one job at a time, don’t just send a generic letter to all of them.
Show what you can do for them
Employers want candidates who will benefit the company, not just people who are in it for themselves. Write about what you can bring to your employers and what your vision is for the role.
Watch the length
With the job market becoming ever more competitive, employers will most likely have to sift through hundreds of applications.
If your covering letter is pages long, they will most likely rule you out straight away. Keep the length down to a page at maximum.
If you’re emailing it, the covering letter should be in the body of the email and should be spaced out into short, manageable paragraphs. Also check that you’re emailing the right person!
With these simple tips your covering letter should be shining!
Have you got any more tips to share? Comment below.
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