For many job candidates, the only thing worse than writing a resume is crafting a cover letter. It can be difficult to know what to say and what hiring managers want to know.
The good news is that developing a persuasive cover letter doesn’t have to be such a struggle. In fact, as one of Phoenix’s top employment agencies, PrideStaff knows that by following a few simple steps, you can put together one that markets your skills and experiences and gets noticed next time you apply for a job.
Here are 11 quick tips to help you:
- Focus on the employer.
Don’t talk too much about yourself and why you want the job. Instead, explain what you can bring to the position that’s going to make the most impact on the employer. - Connect the dots.
Don’t make it hard for the hiring manager to understand your value and why you’re a fit. Connect the dots quickly for them between their job requirements and your background. - Talk about your most relevant accomplishments.
Just as with your resume, your cover letter will need to be tailored for each unique job you apply to. That way, you can easily showcase your most relevant accomplishments, skills and experiences. - Sprinkle in numbers where you can.
Attach dollars, figures, statistics, percentages, or amounts wherever you can to better illustrate your achievements. - Don’t focus on what you don’t have.
If there’s a skill the job posting listed and you don’t have it, avoid talking about it. Focus instead on all the qualifications you do have that are a match for the position. - Don’t focus too much on education.
Instead, the cover letter should be about accomplishments and experience in your work history that are most applicable to the position. - Be real.
While it’s important to be professional, don’t be overly formal either. Remember, you’re trying to stand out among a sea of other candidates. You can’t do that if you don’t sound like a real person. Instead, use language where you come off as honest and genuine. - Write and rewrite.
Be prepared to go through many versions of your cover letter before you get it right. - Don’t repeat your resume.
Your cover letter is a fresh opportunity to showcase different strengths and accomplishments than those on your resume. Don’t waste it repeating the same information twice. - Avoid the fluff.
Words like “team player” and “strategic thinker” don’t mean much to a hiring manager. Instead, tell a story about a time you collaborated with your team to complete an important project, or where you had to strategize and spearhead a workplace initiative. - Keep it simple.
While you’re drafting your letter, it’s ok to write as much as you want. During the editing process, though, you need to pare it down so it’s less than one page. Anything longer won’t get read.
Want more professional help with your cover letter and your job search?
Turn to the experts at PrideStaff.
As one of Phoenix’s top employment agencies, we know who’s hiring and what they’re looking for in job candidates. Not only that, but we can help you start to finish with your resume, cover letter, and interview skills, all so you can land the job you want. Contact us today to learn more or get started.
