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7 Cover Letter Writing Techniques that Will Get You Hired
Did you know that 65% of the fastest-growing start-ups require cover letters? As do 55% of medium-sized businesses!
If you don’t include a cover letter with your application, you could find yourself missing out on the job of your dreams. In fact, the recruiter may simply cast your application to the side without giving it a second glance, meaning you don’t even get the opportunity for an interview.
With that in mind, it’s imperative to master the art of writing a cover letter so you can give yourself the best possible chance of securing the job you want.
Below, we’ll take you through some tips to give you a helping hand and ensure you’re able to secure the job of your dreams.
- Write a new cover letter for each job
The worst thing you can do is submit a generic cover letter for every job application. Instead, you need to write a new cover letter, which is tailored to the job and company in question.
Yes, sending a generic cover letter is quicker, but it tells the recruiter that the company is simply another job and that you’re not really that bothered about working there. This is not the sort of impression you want to give off.
Instead, you need to tailor the cover letter to the business in question. Show them that you’re excited and that you want to work for their company specifically. The only way you can do this is by creating a custom cover letter.
However, this doesn’t mean you cannot use tools to help you. For instance, you can leverage a cover letter generator to guide your writing process. These tools, like JobAccepted.com, use AI to help you craft personalized, high-quality cover letters in minutes, which you can then tweak for the specific role and company. It’s a great way to streamline the process while still showing your enthusiasm and individuality.
This doesn’t mean you cannot use a template, though. There’s nothing wrong with saving a template to give your cover letter direction and structure.
You can recycle a few phrases and strong sentences as well, but don’t simply use a generic cover letter and change the name of the business. Remember, recruiters have sifted through hundreds of resumes and cover letters, so you need to do everything in your power to make sure yours stands out.
If you’re feeling a little bit unsure about how to craft your cover letter, there are lots of great templates online. But remember to only ever use these as a base, and then build upon them yourself so that they are unique to you.
- Search for cover letter examples online, such as a nursing cover letter
It’s also a good idea to spend some time doing research so you can see some effective examples of other cover letters for the type of job you have been searching for.
For instance, if you’re looking to secure a career in nursing, looking at a nursing cover letter like this one can help you to understand what works for this type of position.
Of course, you should never simply copy examples on the Internet. This is never a good look! However, you can use templates like this for some inspiration.
- Don’t apologize for your weaknesses
Needless to say, having a good understanding of your strengths and weaknesses is important when applying for a job. However, your cover letter is your first opportunity to make a good impression, so now is not the time to be focusing on your drawbacks.
A lot of people begin their cover letters by making excuses for a lack of experience or apologizing for any weaknesses they may have. There’s no need to do this. You only have a limited amount of space, so you should be focusing on the positives rather than the negatives.
You can speak about your strengths. Also, if you’re pursuing a change in career direction, speak about the transferable skills you developed in your past role.
- Get the tone right
When writing a cover letter, it’s vital to get the tone right. Remember, your cover letter is an extension of who you are. It says a lot about your personality.
The last thing you want to do is come across as insincere or stiff. However, this can happen if you’re too formal and your words don’t align with the sort of person you truly are.
Of course, you cannot be informal and write your cover letter as if you’re chatting with friends. It’s all about getting the balance right.
You need a cover letter that’s professional but doesn’t feel like you’ve simply opened a dictionary and started picking out the longest words.
- Understand the company’s ‘voice’
Before you start writing your cover letter, take your time to understand the culture and the environment of the company.
In fact, this is something you should do before applying for any job. Don’t you want to make sure the company has an environment that appeals to you and a culture that you’ll thrive in?
Spend some time reading the company’s website and check out their presence on social media so you can get a feel for their culture, language, and tone.
This is something you can then mirror when writing your own cover letter. Of course, you don’t want to make it obvious that you’re trying to sound like the company. Copying and pasting phrases from their website is not a good move.
However, by understanding the company’s culture and voice, you’ll know how to speak to them in a manner that appeals and fits.
- Craft an impressive opening paragraph
Your opening paragraph is critical when writing a cover letter. If it’s boring and mundane, this is the impression the recruiter is going to have of you as an applicant. After all, you know what they say; you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.
So, make sure the cover letter you produce is conversational, friendly, memorable, and extremely relevant to the job you’re trying to secure.
You also don’t need to lead using your name. Remember, the hiring manager is already able to see this. However, it’s a good idea to mention the job you’re making an application for, as hiring managers often sift through hundreds of applications for different job roles.
Your opening paragraph gives you the perfect chance to explain why you’re applying for the role. Why do you want this job? Do you love their brand? Maybe you have experience working on the specific problem the company faces? Whatever the reason may be, showing that you have passion and drive for the specific role in question is always a good place to start.
- Why are you the person for the job?
A lot of people fall into the trap of explaining why the job is great for them, rather than covering why they would be great for the job.
Ultimately, hiring managers want to know what you’re going to bring to the company. Yes, it’s a two-way street. Yes, the job needs to be right for you too. But a hiring manager wants to be sure that you have the skills needed to move the business forward.
We would recommend starting off by doing your research and digging deep to find out what the company is hoping for with this job vacancy. The job listing helps here, as you can see which skills are valued the most and what sort of experience the company is looking for.
You can then start to read between the lines. What problems does the company want to solve with this vacancy? What markets does the company operate in? What are the business’ goals and objectives in the coming years? You’re looking to build-up a picture of what this vacancy means to the business and what they are hoping to achieve.
Once you have this picture, you can then use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the job. You’ll be able to mention your qualities and experience that directly appeal to the hiring company and the sort of person they are looking for. This is how you set yourself apart and ensure that you market yourself as the very best person for the job role in question.
Secure the job of your dreams with a killer cover letter
So there you have it: some of the best tips to follow to ensure your cover letter impresses. From crafting a fresh cover letter for each job to writing a striking first paragraph, use the tips above to make sure your cover letter stands out from all other applicants.
Author bio
Kerry Leigh Harrison has over 11+ years of experience as a content writer. She graduated from university with a First Class Hons Degree in Multimedia Journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys attending sports and music events.
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