In today’s highly competitive market sending in a cover letter alongside your resume is a great way to set yourself apart from other candidates. A cover letter is crucial, especially for higher-level positions, as it showcases why you’re the ideal candidate—even if not explicitly required.
Writing a customized cover letter for each job may seem tedious, but it’s worth the effort and increases your chances of landing interviews. Plus, once you have a strong cover letter you will only have to make minor tweaks to customize it to the position you are applying for.
Introduction:
Your cover letter should include contact details, the date, company information, and a professional salutation like “Dear [Hiring Manager].” Address the recruiter by name if possible; otherwise, use “Hiring Manager.” Introduce yourself and state the position you’re applying for.
Body:
In your cover letter, highlight your qualifications and match your skills to the job. Reference job requirements and mention relevant experience, like Salesforce.
Don’t just repeat what is stated in your resume, like the job titles, dates and all your responsibilities but instead zero in on the most important points that relate to the position you are applying for directly. It is helpful to mention your education and the years of experience you have in the relevant field as well as any important quantifiable accomplishments (i.e., boosted sales by $2M). However, remember to keep it quick and to the point, don’t add more information than necessary and the cover letter should be no longer than 1 page.
Add keywords from the job description to your cover letter because employers and applicant tracking systems will be looking for these words when considering your application. Remember your goal is to grab the reader’s attention and show how you would be the perfect fit for the company and how the company is the perfect fit for you.
Closing:
Always keep your letter professional and when closing it is important to thank the hiring manager for their time and reiterate the best way to get in touch with you. Finish strong so they are eager to get to know you better. Finally, use an appropriate closing such as “Sincerely” or “Best Regards” and then your name. If you are handing in a hard copy of your cover letter you should sign it by hand, but it is not necessary for emailed copies.
If you are still unsure of how to proceed with your cover letter give us a call and one of our Professional Resume Writers would be more than happy to assist you with your resume & cover letter to ensure that you are always putting your best foot forward!