The first thing that companies see when learning about you is your skills and how they can be of use to them. It’s a chance to shine among all the others, allowing you to show a bit of your personality and skills through the written word. While this might make you run to find the cv writing service, you can actually write an effective cover letter yourself.
First impressions, both physical and professional, are essential, not only in our day to day lives but also in the professional atmosphere. That’s why a professional introduction is a must, summarizing your experience and skillset. All companies see a ton of candidates every day and are probably fed up with old, boring cover letters. That is why spicing yours up will help you stick out among the rest, raising the chance that you’ll land the gig. Wondering what it takes to get recognized? Below, we’ve got five no-fail tips that will make your cover letter stand out among the rest.
1. Be Assertive and Direct
Hiring managers have to shuffle through tons of applications. Sometimes, they just skim over and look for the critical details, skipping all of the unnecessary wordage the masses put into cover letters. The last thing they want is to waste their time digging and trying to find out what they’re looking for, so give them what they want to know right at the beginning. Let them know that you’re ready for the job and anxious to start working as soon as possible.
You can take steps to improve your English writing and editing skills first, and they create a statement that gets right to the point and makes companies want to contact you. A good trick to staying on track and not venturing too far is to let them know what you want and how you’re prepared to get it. You have your resume to name off all of your skills, which they are sure to consider.
2. Let Numbers Do the Talking
Employers love to see numbers. If you have been behind projects that have boosted production, revenue, or employee morale, you’re sure to get a callback. Businesses want something that they can use, something that will help them do business more efficiently and eventually expand. There are not too many companies that run away from money, and anything that will help them make more is sure to catch their attention.
That being said, think back to past jobs, projects, and even internships where you excelled at the job. How did you make a difference, and how did you leave the company better than before? Instead of writing an entire essay about it, put it into numbers and state it plain and simple. This will tell them you get to the point, have something to offer, and stand up to the job’s challenges.
3. Address the Proper Person
It might seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at the number of people that address the wrong person. Yes, it is easy enough to put “to whom it may concern,” which is about as safe as it gets but, it is not personal. Remember, you want to shine out in a crowd and show that you are prepared and ready to take on any challenge. Doing the same thing as everyone else will not make it appear this way and actually turn some potential employers away.
Do a quick search online to find out who will be reading applications and who will decide whether or not you’re on the team or not. Ask them who the hiring manager is or who the person is that sifts through applications. Once you get a hold of useful information, your next step is to address that person. You’ll leave a lasting impression for sure.
4. Put Your Best Foot Forward
Employers get many applications that like to say how much of a “team player” they are. Working in teams is an asset, but not the only one that you’re likely to need in the position you’re applying for. It may be more vital for you to demonstrate leadership skills to take on any task thrown your way. You want to put your best foot forward without going into too much detail, as your skills are surely listed on your resume.
Instead of listing your skills, tell how you used a particular skill in a professional environment, so you add an example and a skill together. You might want to check our tips for better essay writing before taking on the task, making sure you write in a correct yet engaging manner that will make you seem professional and ready to take on the job.
5. Don’t Regurgitate
Nothing turns businesses away more than repetitive or unnecessary information. You want to avoid regurgitation at all costs and refrain from repeating what is in your resume. Too many people want to reveal their fundamental skills list on their cover letter, which is not what hiring managers want. Your skills are clearly listed on other documents that are required for the application process anyway.
The goal of a written professional introduction is to draw employees in through your professional background knowledge. Think of it as corresponding to a friend in a professional manner, adding bits and pieces of your personality in with it. Give them a dose of you at your core and show them you’re capable of becoming a part of the team.
If you keep these five tips in mind, there is no way that companies will be able to resist! When companies receive hundreds of applications at a time, they need something that makes them pick you out of the crowd. There are many colleges to get an MBA that offer feedback on your professional introduction. So, here is a quick cheat sheet to make your cover letter stand out, no matter whether you apply for a degree program or a dream job. By following these tips, you won’t ever face resistance, getting a competitive advantage among the crowd of contenders.