3 Tips for a Stellar Cover Letter
Kesha Williams / Parachute
When applying for a job or internship, it’s likely that you’ll be asked to submit a cover letter along with your resume and you may find yourself asking, “What’s the point of a cover letter when we already have resumes?” (We’ve asked that ourselves too.)
Although resumes and cover letters may seem very similar, they do have different purposes. A resume provides an overview of all the work that you have previously done, while a cover letter is meant to expand upon your resume and show why you are the best person for the job. So think of your resume and cover letter as working together to showcase you and your skills.
We know that writing a cover letter can be difficult, so here are three tips that can help you create a stellar cover letter to get your desired position.
1. Use keywords from the job posting.
I actually discovered this tip after talking with a recruiter and it definitely changed the whole game for me. Many companies actually use a sorting algorithm that automatically throws out all of the applications with cover letters or resumes that don’t reflect the keywords labeled in the job postings. Make sure that you are weaving these buzzwords from the job posting into your cover letter.
2. Tailor your cover letter to the company.
When you first begin writing your cover letter, make sure that you are addressing it to the person that will potentially be hiring you. If you are not able to find their names, make sure that you appropriately address your letter as follows: “Dear Hiring Manager,” Although this tip might seem basic, it could really boost your chances of being noticed by the company.
Additionally, it may be beneficial to write at least a sentence or two detailing your prior experiences with the company. Where did you first discover them? Why are you interested in working with them? Answering questions like these can provide your reader with insight into your personality and can allow them to see your genuine interest in the position.
3. Keep your cover letter short!
Do not allow your cover letter to get longer than a page. Most recruiters will actually not read more than that. To keep it short, don’t waste any space with cliches or phrases like “I’m writing to apply for [Position Name].” They know that you are applying for the role already. Instead, just reference the role throughout the letter. For example, you could incorporate phrases like “as an HR intern, I would …” to show your interest in the specific role.
Also, make sure not to waste a single word on your cover letter. Space is precious in a cover letter, so every word should serve a purpose. Don’t repeat everything that is already on your resume. A cover letter is an opportunity to give more details about yourself such as your values, goals, strengths, and skills.
Cover letter writing can be daunting, but with these tips, you’ll be one step closer to getting that dream job!
Written by Kalijah Rahming and Sneha Sinha
