What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a single-page letter sent along with your resume or job application to an organization that helps you introduce yourself in a personal and specific manner.
Your resume lays out the facts but a cover letter tells your personality. It provides detailed information about your qualifications.
If you manage to sound convincing enough to your hiring manager you are likely to be called for an interview. While writing a cover letter, bear in mind that your time to convince the recruiter is as limited as a few seconds. So you need to convey that you are a strong candidate and be able to connect with your employer at the same time.
In your cover letter, you don’t repeat what’s written on your resume but rather include other personal details like your qualities, specific skills, etc.
What is the need for a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is often treated as a way to screen applicants for the required job. Even if a company does not ask for one, you should make a cover letter as it shows that you are ready to put efforts.
A cover letter is a way to impress, it’s not just a formality because a first impression matters a lot throughout. This single document gives the hiring manager an insight into who you are as an individual and as a professional.
A cover letter is as important as a resume and it should be treated that way. Your cover letters help you write a compelling case for your candidacy by giving you a page to write about your qualifications and special skills that’ll benefit the organization to the fullest.
Points to remember while you make a cover letter -
Writing a Cover Letter requires an introduction that is good enough for a perfect start. The opening should be attention-grabbing.
In the opening paragraph, indicate the role you are applying for and where you saw the vacancy. The first line must confirm the purpose of your letter.
The body of your career change cover letter must be upfront. You must be professional and positive enough to give reasons for your change in career and be bold enough to mention the main reason without bringing any negative comments into notice. Aim to keep the explanation positive.
Changing your career would raise questions. You should give an honest answer and to why you changed your career. Never write anything negative about the past, just give an honest and positive opinion.
Mention the things you learned and enjoyed in your previous career and also how your previous field connects you to your field to be.
This is your way to tell the recruiting manager about your chance to work in their industry and how you think this job is perfect for you. Your weakness can be your strength if you put it in a positive manner.
The skills learned in the previous job must be superior to others because you lack the basic experience in the same field.
You should not write about a mediocre experience in your previous field.
Your manager wouldn’t just want the skills, he would want you to be committed to the job, therefore, your cover letter must convert some passion and you must back it up with some honest support.
Your investment in the new career will say a lot about your chances to get the job and so you must mention all the steps you have taken to succeed in the part of the job. Make sure your references collaborate with your statements.
Every job teaches you some soft and specific skills. You must focus on the skills that can be used in your new job rather than the specific skills and cannot be transferred and are not related to the current job.
Here are some skills you must include while writing a Cover Letter -
Communication skills
Leadership
Creativity
Teamwork
There are many technical skills that are transferable -
Research
Technical writing
Budget management
Choose the ones that best match your skills and are not futile for your new job. Don't forget to be clear about your skills and how they align with your new job.
Express your passion for the new job. Research about the company before writing the cover letter so that you can be sure about the needs and demands of the company. Learn about its value, clients, past projects, culture, etc.
Show that you are interested in it. Your manager might be more interested in someone who just doesn't want the job but also wants to be an asset to the company. Make it clear that you are familiar with the organization and also enthused to be a part of it.
Reveal your passion and align your goals with it.
Express your appreciation for the opportunities the hiring manager will give you so that you can grow and prosper in your new job. You must express your gratitude towards the organization.
Your goal should not be limited to showing the manager the qualifications and skills you have but the point that you are a loyal and dedicated employee.
Demonstrate your organizational values and show that you have some work ethics too.
Never be afraid to suggest a next step in the process. Indicate that you are available for the interview and that you are looking forward to working with the organization.
Create a call for action and A mention about your willingness to talk to the hiring manager.
Conclude with lines like, " You can best reach me at or looking forward to hearing back from you".
Also mention lines like, " Thank you for your time or Thank you for considering my application ".
A fresh set of eyes is eligible to find the mistakes committed in the letter be it grammatical or any other edit to be done. If you are not certain about being up to the mark as a friend or family member to read it for you.
Your first impression matters a lot and making any sort of mistake in the cover letter ruins it. You should avoid repetition of sentences, any grammatical error, boring verbs, or any informal language.
Always take a proactive approach.
Your CV or resume is your first impression for any company. With the help of CV Owl, you can get a well-structured CV and your time will be saved. Everything on your CV should be written in a formal manner and in a precise way. You have only 20 seconds to impress your recruiter with your CV, make the best out of it. Visit our series “The HR Talk” where we help you know everything about your job interview from the recruiters.
Try CV Owl as we help you furnish a fully-formatted in a chronological order resume on our RESUME BUILDER or cover letter. You can also try our CV REVIEW SERVICE, through which you get a CV writing expert reviewing the insight of your CV and advising you so that you can make your CV stand out.
