Steps to Write a Resume Cover Letter

Link for Video Lecture: Resume Cover Letter

What is a Cover Letter?

A single-page letter supporting your resume is called a cover letter. It is a trend so you should include it in your job application. There are many websites that offer digital marketing and content writing courses free of cost.

Purpose of a Cover Letter

The basic purpose of a cover letter is to support your resume because it shows your qualifications, skills, and achievements. The cover letter expands them and shows why you would be a good fit for the company. You should follow the given guidelines while writing a cover letter.

1. Firstly, introduce yourself
2. Mention the job or position you are applying for
3. It is important to show that your experience and skills are appropriate for the job applying for.
4. The cover letter should convince the reader to read the resume.
5. Your cover letter should end with a call to action such as an interview or meeting etc.

How Long a Cover Letter should be?

A cover letter should be short and concise because it is a summary of your resume. It should not be more than a page.

Matching It with the Job

You should write a new cover letter for each job you are applying for. It should make clear what the job is and what is the requirement of the employer. So you need to be specific about your education, skills, qualities, and experience. Develop a link showing how your education, skills, and qualities match the job.

How to Write a Cover Letter?

Following are the three ways to make your cover letter more specific.

1. Whom to Address

Address a person instead of writing “To whom it may concern”. It takes little effort to find the name of a person but has a good impact on the reader. In advertisements, you will find the name or designation of a person whom to send your applications. If it is not then you can call them to ask whom to send applications to.

2. Find Out More About The Job

You can contact a relevant person to know more about the job. This information will enable you to make your resume and cover letter according to the job. You can ask different questions such as;

1. Does the job require teamwork?
2. To whom the employee has to report
3. What kind of person you are looking for?
4. What is the position description?

Write down answers to the above questions to make your resume and cover letter specific and according to the job.

3. Find Out More About The Company

Get some more information about the company to tailor your resume & cover letter according to the job. Here are some tips to follow;

1. You can search for information about the company on the internet
2. Moreover, visit the website of the company
3. On the other hand, if the company name is not mentioned in the advertisement then call the recruitment agency to know the name of the company.

4. What Should Be In The Cover Letter?

Here are some tips that what you should include in the cover letter.

1. The name and contact details should be on top of your cover letter. Give your email address and contact number to get a quick response. The email address should have a professional impact.
2. You should include the name of the person you are writing to with his position in the company and contact details. If you are feeling trouble then you can call the company to ask for the required information.
3. Similarly, you should mention the job clearly for which job you are applying.
4. Write a brief summary showing how your experience and skills match the job description.
5. In your cover letter, you have to write why you are the best choice for that particular position.
6. You have to show that you understand the language, industry, and people that the employer works with.
7. Your cover letter should finish by convincing the reader to read your resume. On the other hand, it can also ask him to call for an interview.

YOUR NAME

[Your phone number] [Your email address] [Your mailing address / LinkedIn profile /portfolio / website (optional)]

[Hiring manager’s name]
[Company address]
[Company phone number]
[Hiring manager’s email address]

Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx.] [Hiring manager’s name],

An opening paragraph that mentions years of relevant experience, how you found out about the job, and why you’re interested in the position. Make sure you use the correct job title here, or else the employer will think you’re sending out a generic cover letter.

Body paragraph(s) provide examples of your professional accomplishments, skills, and work experience. These examples should all tie into why you’re the best fit for the role.

• You can include bullet points in this section to highlight your greatest relevant achievements
• Using numbers to outline these achievements make their significance more apparent to the hiring manager

The closing paragraph expresses your interest (again) and restates why you’re the right candidate for the job. You can mention whether you prefer to be contacted by phone or email here as well. If you prefer phone calls, provide some times when you’re available.

[Sincerely / Best / Best regards],

[Your name]

What You Should Not Include In The Cover Letter?

You should not include the following things in your cover letter.

1. It is very important to check the spelling of your cover letter. So you can ask your friends, career teachers, family members, or career counselors to go through the cover letter and point out mistakes or confusing items. Double-check or proofread your cover letter to find out mistakes or typos.
2. You should not copy-paste your resume into the cover letter. In short, keep your cover letter short and let the resume tell the remaining story.
3. Don’t include “I” too much in the cover letter because it is about how you can help the employer not about you.
4. You can apply for more than one job at a time. It is better not to mention that you have applied for other jobs. Above all, you have to convince your employer that you really want this job. It is understood by employers that you have applied for more than one job.