Let's admit it: job
hunting is a complete nightmare. From searching endlessly for open positions to
actually applying for the jobs you're lucky enough to find, it's hard to stay
optimistic when searching for a job. However, if you think that finding a suitable
opening is the hardest part of job hunting, now would be the perfect time to
insert a classical villain's scoff.
When it comes to job
hunting, you could be riding smoothly until you hit a major bump: cover
letters. Most job applications require one, and if you have no idea how to
write a good cover letter, you may miss out on a huge opportunity.
This brings us to the
big question: how can you write a cover letter that would make interviewers
grovel for you to join the company? Well, an easy way out could be hiring a
professional essay writer.
However, if we're
being honest, not everyone can afford this option and that's why we wrote this
article. Looking for tips to write a gleaming cover letter? Here's a detailed
guide that you'd definitely enjoy.
A cover letter is
basically a one-page document that you submit alongside your job application. A
lot of people often mistake cover letters for resumes but these two documents
are as identical as a lion and a chicken.
While your resume
lays out the facts about your professional background and experience, a cover
letter typically conveys your personality.
This document
determines whether you get the job or your application goes unceremoniously
into the shredder.
As such, you have to
make it as memorable and unique as possible. Don't let the cover letter idols
down.
At this point, you're
probably wondering: "why do I even have to write a cover letter in the
first place? Is it all part of a grand plan to frustrate me?"
Fortunately, cover
letters are not modern day torture devices. They only help to make your job
applications stand out from the sea of other job hunters like you.
If you've ever wondered
why this document is so important, it's simple. A good cover letter can take
your application from a zero to a struggling hero.
With an impressive
cover letter, you can convince interviewers that you're the best fit for the
job even when thousands of impressive talents are right behind you.
Side note: A cover letter
doesn't necessarily mean that you'd get the job even if you aren't qualified.
It's a letter, not a magic wand. Stick to applying for roles that you're
qualified and let the rest play out by itself.
What exactly should
you include in your cover letter? Should you tell the story of how you lost
your favourite tooth when you were six? Well, here’s a pro tip: don't do that.
Your cover letter
isn't an oversized box where you cram your entire life and career history. It
should simply tell your readers who you are and what you're bringing to the
table.
When it comes to writing
cover letters, here are a few ingredients that should definitely not be missing
from the pie:
Even if you were
working as a fairy for Peter Pan, there has to be a way you can link your
previous work experience with the job requirements.
Does the position
require someone with experience in sales calculations? Tell them how you're a
pro at calculations thanks to your previous experience as a cashier at
McDonald's. Easy Peasy!
This bit can be
included in your cover letter introduction or much later, depending on how you
want to structure your writing.
Pro Tip: Even though it can be
really tempting, don't lie about your previous experience or skills. Getting
caught in a lie is way more embarrassing than you think.
How do your skills
meet the job requirements? Can you do quick math? Can you work under pressure?
Let your readers know.
Just like we said
earlier, try not to embellish your skills or make them colourful. Rumours have
it that an employee who had no swimming skills once lied that she was a pro
swimmer just to get a lifeguard position.
You don't want to
know how that ended, do you?
You should also state
why you want to work at the company. Is it their cultural values or work
ethics? Is it the pay?
If the pay is your
major motivation, you might want to avoid mentioning that. No matter how valid
this reason may be, you definitely don't want to appear tacky.
So you're ready to
write a cover letter. How do you make sure your cover letter is as perfect as a
freshly baked apple pie? Well, here are the ultimate tips to help you:
Almost everyone on
earth claims to be a problem solver. We're pretty sure that if you found a
random cat on the street, it'd probably claim to be a problem solver too. After
all, it does get rid of street mice and rats.
So, what does this
tell you? It only goes to show that saying things like "I'm a problem solver"
isn't the ultimate clincher you think it is. It's just like pointing to a jar
of peanut butter and exclaiming "This is peanut butter!"
Instead, show them
how you're a problem solver. How were you able to solve a particular problem in
the past?
How can you use your
problem solving skills to help the company?
Explain all these in
detail.
Let's admit it:
almost every cover letter starts the same way. You've probably seen tons of
letters saying "I'm Brian and I'm a natural born leader. I have problem
solving skills.."
If you were a
recruiter, your eyes would definitely roll back into your head after you've
read the fifth word that started this way.
Switching things up
and adding a little word variation will help you stand out from other
applications and catch the recruiter's attention.
Wouldn't that be
great?
Being honest may not
exactly be the easiest thing to do when it comes to writing a cover letter.
After all, you're trying to make yourself sound as awesome as possible.
However, in the
history of cover letters, lying has never ended well for anyone. More often
than not, your lies will come back to bite you on the job or even during the
interview.
Let's imagine you
lied that you're skilled at tightrope walking. What happens if three months
down the line, you're asked to walk across a tightrope?
You'd be faced with
two options: plunge down to your death or admit that you lied in your cover
letter. Even though you'd most likely choose the second option, it won't be
pretty for you or anyone involved.
Everyone says you
should be yourself when writing a cover letter and we completely agree.
However, you should also try to use the appropriate tone and voice for the company you're applying
to.
Whether you're
writing a cover letter for an internship or administrative role, it's important
to ensure that your tone matches the company's values and setup.
For instance, the
tone you'd use when applying to a fashion oriented company won't be the same
one you'd use for a tech company.
Different companies,
different strokes.
In the world of cover
letter writing, a call to action (CTA) is the icing on the cake. You definitely
want the company to contact you, so you have to give them a reason to.
Your call to action
should be brief and open-ended. You could simply suggest that you look forward
to hearing from them and you'd be willing to give more information if they need
it.
Errors can always
stick out like a sore thumb in cover letters. As such, you have to proofread thoroughly
to ensure that there are no errors.
Check your paper for
grammatical errors, wrong spellings, mundane phrases and statements that may
offend your reader.
Not sure if your
letter is gleaming enough? You can always contact an online essay writer to
help you proofread and give a second opinion.
Writing a cover
letter isn't exactly as easy as learning the ABCs, but it isn't so complicated
either. If you're trying to win the heart (or at least, the approval) of any
recruiter, start by leaving out overused expressions and statements in your
cover letter.
This way, you'd stand
out from other applicants and increase your chances of actually getting the
job. Good luck!
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