Writing a Cover Letter

Writing a Cover Letter is one of the most important but often overlooked part of job hunting. While a perfectly written resume is a must have, cover letter is something that adds value to it.

You must have heard of a very famous fact that a hiring manager takes no more than 30 seconds to screen a resume. A cover letter should be written in such a way that it tempts the hiring manager to open and see the resume. Infact, if you write a perfect cover letter half the battle is already won.

Most of the students think that if they are sending a resume with all the required details they do not need to attach the cover letter. But that is not the case. A cover letter adds that customized touch to your job application. For example, your resume remains the same for all your job applications and interviews, but your cover letter is customized as per the job requirement. Here are some tips to help you write the cover letter:

Starting the letter: Do not write “ To whomsoever it may concern”. Try to find out the hiring manager’s name and address it properly.  Most of the job descriptions have the hiring manager’s name mentioned on it. Mention the job title that you are applying for in the first paragraph as the recruiter who reads your letter may be hiring for several other posts simultaneously.

Keep it precise and to the point: You do not need to write an entire one page letter to make the impact. Rather, your cover letter should be brief yet compelling.  Convey that you understand the company and its goals, and explain how you'd help it reach those goals.

Do not include the same details as your resume: A cover is supposed to focus on details that are not mentioned in your resume. Like, your interest in working for the organization you are applying to and how you can be the best fit for the job.

Mention your achievements: This can be one of the luring factors for a hiring manager. Include your achievements in the cover letter like worked on a new and rare technology, involved in the growth of a company, increased the revenue of an organization and so on. However, please stay away from using generic terms such as hard working, fast learner etc.

Break it into paragraphs: A letter written in paragraphs makes it easier for the hiring manager to read. Start with your introduction and background. In the next paragraph mention your skills and how you fit into the profile. An additional paragraph for your achievements and then ending the letter by adding thanks and your contact details.

Proofread before you send it: Like your résumé, your cover letter should be error-free. A single typo or other mistake can lead to your application being discarded. other mistakes besides typos include addressing the letter to the wrong company or misspelling someone’s name. Neither error would be picked up by a grammar or spell checker so you need to proofread carefully before sending.

I would also suggest you not to use form letters from books or internet. Experienced human resource professionals can sense when a cover letter is a form letter, perhaps copied from a job-hunting book, with a little customization thrown in.. Like your résumé, your cover letter should be customized for a specific job opening.