Writing an effective cover letter is an essential skill when entering almost any job market. There are a number of steps you can take to be sure your letter stands out for all the correct reasons.
1. The Salutation. Do whatever you can to find out who will be reading your letter/application. Try to make your salutation (Dear Dr./Mrs./Ms./Mr. So and so) as specific as possible. Tracking down the name of the HR head's name shows extra effort on your part.
2. Form. Most cover letters follow a 3 paragraph form, which can be found with a simple google search. The short version:
Paragraph One: You introduced yourself, how you heard about the job (and specifically mention anyone who they might know that told you about the opportunity here). Express your interest in the specific position.
Paragraph Two: This is where you should put forth why you believe you are an excellent candidate for this position without just repeating your resume.
Paragraph Three: Thanking them for their time and consideration. Tell them what else might be included with your email (CV/Resume).
3. Proofreading. I can not stress enough how damaging typos/silly mistakes are on a resume/cover letter. If a candidate can't write one perfect page, how is an employer to trust they will do any work flawlessly. So. First you should proofread your document twice. I recommend reading it slowly and OUT LOUD at lest once, to catch any and all mistakes. Then, give it to at least 3 other people to proofread. While this takes some courage, it is essential. This is the time to enroll that pedantic friend who always corrects your grammar on Facebook.
4. Tailor your letter to the specific job. The job application process is a slog. Often, to save time, people use a form cover letter to apply to multiple jobs. I recommend NOT doing this for the jobs that are most important to you. The fact is, employers want candidates motivated towards their specific position. If they sniff another form cover letter, you can bet it won't make it very far.
5. Show enthusiasm. Some people fear that showing any personality in a cover letter will be seen as a negative. I disagree. Showing sincere enthusiasm for a position can show off your writing skills while assuring future employers that you have the possibility to be a long term hire. That said, this isn't a college essay and your cover letter shouldn't be over the top enthusiastic or a comedy schtick. Sincere is key.
Do these five steps, and you should be well on your way to impressing future employers. Good luck!
An applicant who demonstrates effective communication abilities in an application letter is identified first and foremost by spelling and grammar. Being able to read the letter without being tripped up by spelling errors or grammatical issues is essential in order to be considered for any position.
Additionally, it is important to communicate three things through this letter; why you are applying for this position, what qualifies you for the position, and the courtesy to thank them for the opportunity.
If you have trouble identifying spelling or grammatical errors in your own writing, I highly recommend that you ask for help from someone willing to help you edit your work. Having another set of eyes looking for errors is a great way to catch the ones you might miss.
A job application letter (or cover letter) should be written in a way that summarizes your overall experience and skills as it relates to the position you are applying. Begin with the intention of the application letter in regards to the opportunity. An opening statement may be as follows:
"I am responding to your need for a Marketing Operations Specialist."
Next, provide a brief overview of yourself as it relates to the open position. As an example, the next few sentences could read as follows:
"I am a well-rounded professional with over fifteen years of experience in marketing and sales. My heavy focus on design and branding alongside the integration of innovative web technology has been a pinnacle of my digital marketing success."
The next paragraph may correlate your experience as it relates to the job opportunity and expresses interest accordingly. An example of this may be as follows:
"I have worn many hats throughout my career while striving for the utmost efficiency and improvement in business operations. I believe I have the necessary skills for this role and I am excited to learn more about the opportunity."
Finally, thank the person for reviewing your application and express interest in hearing from them. A closing statement may look like the following:
"Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Job Applicant"
Overall, to show effective communication, use the thesaurus option in your word processing program to enhance your writing verbiage. Using words such as "pinnacle" demonstrates a good vocabulary and assists in showing that you are able to communicate effectively.
In addition to the thesaurus option, make sure you use the grammar and spelling tool to check your letter. Do not use words like "it" - explain what "it" is. Avoid run-on sentences accordingly. Keeping your writing and ideas straight and to the point will present a clear and concise application letter.
The job application is your very first opportunity to sell yourself. This is your time to shine! If, you fail to see this as your first opportunity and you do not effectively communicate at this point and time, your chances for a face-to-face interview are slim. A simple introduction as a way to begin your application followed by how you became aware of the position. Also, you would want to mention why you are interested in working with the company (i.e., strong company with years of service, etc.).
Here is an example of an opening paragraph:
Dear Sir/Madam:
Thank you for taking time to read my application in response to your ad in the Raleigh, News and Observer. I have five years in Retail Management and I am seeking new challenges. You now have an opportunity to discuss other skills, talents or awards you may have received. In the end you can restate your gratitude for them taking time to read your application and mention you are looking forward to hearing from them.
It is crucial to edit your writing. Grammar, sentence structure and spelling must be error free. You will need to express yourself professionally, and yet present as warm and friendly.
When communicating through a job application letter. The best way to display that you are an effective communicator, is to be structured concise, professional and free of any grammatical errors. The letter format should consist of a heading, 2-3 short body paragraphs and your closing which I have outlined below with an example letter.
Heading:
The heading will show the date, the organization you are contacting and the position you are interested in.
Paragraph 1:
Your first paragraph should express your intention for the position, why you are a great candidate and how you can add value to the organization in a concise manner.
Paragraph 2:
Next should be a short paragraph or list of achievements or skills you have that align with what the organization is seeking.
Paragraph 3 / Closing:
Your last paragraph should recap why you are the best candidate, what can add to the organization and that you look forward to speaking with them soon.
Example
Here is an example letter for a University Transcript Evaluator where the skill needed in the job description outlined: communication, exceeding goals, training and organization skills. each of these have been woven in to the letter to let the reader know you have those skill they are looking for and that you are a good fit and worthy of an interview.
Your Name Here
Your email@gmail.com
(000) 000 -0000
00/00/2018
Office of Human Resources
Attn: Recruitment
REF: Transcript Evaluator
Dear Hiring Manager,
Upon review of your posting for a Transcript Evaluator. I felt compelled to submit my resume for your consideration. As an experienced and driven professional with comprehensive expertise in all areas transcript evaluation processes. I am confident that I would significantly contribute and benefit WGU and the students.
Highlights of my experience include the following:
Mastering the Transcript and Articulation evaluation process and procedures.
Demonstrating superior organizational, interpersonal, and communication talents.
Assisted management in the training and further development of less tenured team members.
Awarded the Changing Lives Through Education Award, 2016
Consistently exceeded all KPI’s averaging 99% by using great attention to detail and accuracy from 2016-2018
My skills in Human Resource and directional leadership have been finely honed, and I am confident my additional strengths will readily translate to your organizations goals. I welcome the chance to offer more insight into my qualifications and would be most appreciated.
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
You Name Here
In order to stand out in a job application, you want to make sure that you clearly display your positive qualities, such as determination, enthusiasm, etc. You want the employer to see that you are self-sufficient and are up for a new challenge.
Clearly describe your prior work history and experiences and what you did in that position. Describe how your prior work experiences can be geared towards this new position and how you would best fit in within the company.
It is through a job application letter that you showcase your expertise and efficiently in communication skills in a manner that convinces your prospective employer that you are the best candidate in the position that you are applying for. One of the ways of ensuring that you can communicate hypothetically in a job application letter is through presenting your level of expertise and experience and create the interest of the employer to look forward to meeting you even without having known you physically prior to the letter. Your general understanding of the company that you are applying to work for is a big plus because this makes the employers believe that you are really interested in the position and that you are knowledgeable of the company's history. Other aspects of your personality that depicts your formal presentation, proper language and grammar are also crucial.
A job application letter is the perfect opportunity to showcase your communication skills—and if you fail to do this, it is unlikely that you will be invited to an interview.
The first step is to introduce yourself politely, state where you saw the job advertisement and why you are interested in the position. For example, if you were applying for a job as a secretary, your opening paragraph could read something like this:
Dear Jane,
Thank you for considering my application for the secretary position that was advertised on www.jobs.com. I have five years of experience in the administration field and I am ready to take on a new challenge.
Your letter should then continue to discuss your relevant work experience and skills. Always finish the letter by thanking the person for taking the time to read your application.
In terms of showing that you communicate effectively, the spelling and grammar in your letter should be perfect. The tone of your writing should be professional and friendly.
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