CV and cover letter are always together and have a close relationship. However, most of candidates understand the importance of a CV, but neglect the power of a cover letter.
Further emphasizing your skills and experience, your CL will demonstrate your desire for the job and the benefit you may contribute to the job. More importantly, it will help differentiate you from other candidates and gain the attention of the employer.
Whatever creativity is your strength or not, you are still able to create a successful CL by following the tips as below:
1. Research:
Before writing a CL, you must research about the company by using information on their website and updating latest news on the company as well as the salary of employees there; find out about their future goals and business strategies, their market and organizational structure. The more you know about the company, the more satisfactory your cover letter will be to the requirements of the employer.
2. Send to correct person
Never start CL with such salutations as “Dear sir/madam,” or “To those who may concern”. A letter started with a general salutation will make bad impression to the employer as they will think that if you are unable to make an appropriate greeting, how you can be suitable for the job. Therefore, if there is no name of the employer in the recruitment ad, you need to make a phone call to the receptionist of the company to make sure who you will have to send your application letter to.
3. Be careful with the introduction
A perfect CL should start with an introduction about your strength. The purpose is to make a brief about the job you are applying for and the reason why you are interested in and want to apply for the job. Don’t write such hollow sentence as: “Group work is my strength” or “I’m a smart person”. The introduction should be natural, no “colorful” or affected when focusing on personal values.
4. Create the attractiveness
The body of the letter should be widely developed but not simply repeat what are already in your CV. Focus on outstanding skills and experience that relate to the job; give specific examples to the achievements you have made. For example, if you apply for a management position, state how many percentage of revenue you gained for your previous company, or what you shared with your boss how you adapted to new market to increase the number of customers.
5. Be active
Demonstrate your gratefulness to the employer for spending time considering your letter. Further approach the employer by asking when you will be able to contact them. This is one way to show your enthusiasm to the job. However, don’t forget to add your contact number or address at the end of the letter in case of the employer may want to contact you.
6. Never address the issue of salary
If you focus on issue of expected salary and allowance policy, it will be too much risky and inappropriate at this point. Wait till you are sure to have an interview to raise this issue.
7. Check for errors
Researches have shown that if you make one or two spelling errors in your application, your CV may get eliminated immediately. Therefore, check your application cover letter for any error, and also, have another friend or relative double-check it for you carefully.
8. Format
If you send a cover letter by email, make sure that the file type is common to other people. De-format such formatting as bold or underlined sentences or stylish headings. Make your letter simple and formal. If it is too “colorful” or “format-oriented”, the readers may get eye-ache when reading your letter.
Writing an interesting application cover letter carefully will make you stand out of other candidates and gain you the first step to a recruitment interview.
7 Tips to Empower Your Cover Letter
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