The Light Side and the Dark Side of Cover Letters

The Light Side and the Dark Side of Cover Letters The Significance of Creating “Good” Cover LettersWithout a good cover letter, candidates are relying on their resume to make an impact. That’s asking a lot of prospective employers and drastically reduces the chances of you being called for an interview. From indicating your skills to keeping the follow-up ball in your court, a good cover letter is an indispensable tool for increasing your odds of landing an interview and strengthening your candidacy.However, where a good cover letter can help you stand out from the pack, a bad letter can make even the most promising candidates seem uncreative. Sadly, a majority of cover letters aren’t poorly written, often reading essentially the same, by repeating information. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the characteristics of good and bad cover letters and a few secrets on how you can make your letter stand out:Good vs. Bad Cover LettersevalGood Cover LettersBad Cover LettersStyle · Omit fluff and needless words · Cont ain concise and crisp sentences · Get to the point early in the first paragraph · Present accomplishments in bulleted format for easy reading · Lack of good vocabulary · Long and tiring-to-read sentences. Too many paragraphs · Hide skills/ accomplishments with needless sentences · Letter filled with useless sentences and wordsContent · Contain relevant keywords for the job position · Highlight the most appropriate qualifications/skills · Focus on how your skills align with recruiters need · Contain information that is not substantiated in the resume · Lack of relevant or appropriate keywords/phrases · Repeat details included in resumeLength · Include substantial space for note-taking and visual appeal · Fit perfectly and neatly into one page · Looks cramped with no room for notes and tine margins · Has a second page with just one or two linesErrors · Free from any spelling or grammatical errors · Has one or more spelling or grammatical errorsConclusion · Define when you will follow up · Emphasize strong interest in desired position · Express thanks to the reader · Doesn’t define when you will follow up · Leave the reader uncertain about your skills · Fail to acknowledge reader’s timeSecrets that can Help Your Cover Letter Stand OutevalIn today’s competitive job market, it is crucial for students to prepare for the job search process via eye-catching and dazzling cover letters. To help students master the process, here are a few secrets that can guarantee an interview:Understand the PurposeWhen it comes to writing a cover letter, it is crucial to understand what it is used for and why you need to write one. Based on the information above, you probably do know that cover letters are essential for creating an engaging personal introduction. Therefore, make it a habit to connect your unique qualifications to the specific requirements of the position.Don’t Repeat Your ResumeMany people write cover letters as if they are a paragraph form of resumes. This is a wrong approach for writing cover letters. Use the cover letter to show your interest, personality, and passion of working in the field you are applying for. So, be a little creative and sprinkle some cool facts and interesting news in your cover letter.Keep it ShortBear in mind that a cover letter is a brief description about why you are the perfect fit for a job. Therefore, avoid writing long sentences with needless words and focus on providing value to the employers. Less is more. So, don’t go beyond three paragraphs or the 1-page limit. Get to your point fast, as no employer has time to read 2 page long letters.Avoid Using Traditional PhrasesevalAvoid using the phrase “My name is ___, and I am applying for the position of ____” as it will only make you look unprofessional. Instead, go for something like “I am writing to apply for the role of (Job title) as advertised in the newspaper”.Last, but not the least, send the cover letter in PDF format. Too many conversions c an result in formatting errors. So, now that you are familiar with the tips mentioned above, creating a “good” cover letter won’t be a problem.