Have you been facing rejections despite having a strong resume? While applying for job vacancies, many job seekers tend to overlook the significance of the cover letter. A cover letter is a description attached to your resume which details your reason for applying to the organization and skills that make you a suitable candidate. Essentially, it gives you an opportunity to market yourself in a concise manner. Most hiring managers and executives value cover letters as a critical ingredient for evaluating job applications. It may seem like a difficult task but the process can be made simple by following the guidelines listed below.

Format

A well-written cover letter not only complements your resume but also hooks the employer and persuades them to know more about you. Ideally, a good cover letter must have the following format.

The introductory paragraph should be concise and memorable as it influences whether the employer wishes to continue reading it or not. In the second paragraph, detail out your best qualities and the experience you possess that makes you suitable for the job and how you will add value to the company you join. It is essential to be honest while talking about your strengths and to avoid exaggerating them. . The third paragraph must be how the company will add value to your career and what they can do for you. The final section must assure the reader that you are the perfect candidate for the job. It must be concise and should include a call to action. To finish, add a formal sign off.

What to Remember

It is better to address the hirer by name in the salutation, Dear XYZ, rather than using ‘Respected Sir’ or ‘To whom it may concern’, as the former reflects the effort you made to research about the company and the hiring manager. Make use of a company’s LinkedIn page or website.

Thoroughly research the job profile to make sure your skill is aligned with the job requirements. Moreover, knowledge about the background of the company and its core activities will give you clear ideas about the company and its profile.

You should never misrepresent yourself in the cover letter but choose the right tone and voice in reference to the company you are applying for.

What to Avoid

Make sure there are no grammatical or spelling errors in your cover letter. Be sure to proofread and refine it multiple times.

Don’t include your entire resume in the cover letter. It is a complement to the resume, not a repetition.

Don’t talk about any other jobs that you may be applying to.

Be sure that you are not using ‘I’ too many times as it may put off some people. Try to avoid sentences that begin with ‘I can’, ‘I am’ or ‘I have’.

A cover letter should be memorable and be able to tell the hiring manager a story about you. It should cover the best parts of your career. In the end, it has to convince a company that you will add value to their organization.