We have cover letter tips for you, so you can wow interviewers and employers. The closer to perfect your letter is, the better your chances of getting the interview. When you need to write a cover letter to apply for a job, it’s sometimes the small things that can make a big difference.
Review these tips and techniques for writing top-notch cover letters to send with your resume, including format and presentation, advice for choosing a type of cover letter, writing custom cover letters, how to send, and examples and templates.
1. Select the Right Type of Cover Letter
There are several types of cover letters that can be sent to employers and contacts. Be sure to choose a type of cover letter that reflects how you are applying for the job or the type of job search assistance you are requesting.
Your cover letter should be designed specifically for the purpose you are writing and customized for each position you seek. Review samples of each type of cover letter, and pick the one that works best for you.
2. Try to Find a Contact Person
When it comes to cover letters, taking the time to get personal is really important. Find out as much as you can about the company and the hiring manager.
Personalize your cover letter and, if you can, address it to the individual responsible for hiring. If need be, research online or make a phone call to find out who the hiring manager is.
3. Address Your Cover Letter Correctly
How to address a cover letter can be tricky. Like, say, you are responding to a blind ad. You don’t have a contact person’s name to include. You don’t know the hiring manager’s gender as well. It’s best that you use gender-neutral words then.
4. Explore Other Cover Letter Tips and Examples
Take the time to review cover letter examples before you start writing your own. Make sure that your letter explains how your skills relate to the criteria listed in the job posting.
5. Format Your Cover Letter Properly
How you format your cover letter, both from a content (the information you include) and a presentation (what your cover letter looks like) perspective is important.
Even when applying online or via email, your cover letter needs to be properly formatted, readable, and without any mistakes.
6. Include Keywords in Your Cover Letter
It’s important to include skill, results and recognition keywords. Make sure that these match the description of the job for which you are applying and attest to your credentials in your cover letter. These cover letter tips can increase your chances of getting selected for an interview.
7. Write a Custom Cover Letter
It can be time-consuming to write a custom cover letter for each job you apply for, but it’s important to take the time. Your giving effort will show the company why you are a good match. This is actually the most important cover letter tips you can have in mind.
8. Start From a Cover Letter Template
A cover letter template can be a good way to get started writing cover letters to send with resumes when you apply for jobs.
Use a cover letter template as a starting point for creating your own personalized cover letter by adding your own information to the template.
9. Send an Email Cover Letter That Will Get Read
The most important part of sending an email cover letter is to follow the employer’s instructions. If the job posting says to include your cover letter and resume as an attachment, attach Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF files to your email message.
It’s important to send your cover letter and resume attachments correctly. Make sure to include all the information you need so your email message is read. Then, let the receiver know how they can contact you to schedule an interview. Never miss this among the cover letter tips you have known so far.
10. Explain an Employment Gap
Prepare to explain when you have recent gaps in your work history. You may want to share why you have been laid-off and out of work. You can also tell that you were taking time out from the workplace to spend with your family, traveling, going back to school, or for any reason. Your cover letter gives you an opportunity to explain the employment gap.
These are just cover letter tips you can follow to be guided. But certainly, your cover letter should mainly answer what the job post requires. To satisfy what the recruiter and employer with what they are looking for, is the most important cover letter tips you note.