Cover Letters

01. A Cover Letter Must Sell Your Skills and Expertise

A cover letter is a lot like a sales letter and your skills and expertise are what is for sale. A cover letter is an ideal way to market your skills and to reach potential employers. You only have a short amount of time and space to sell your attributes so you need to make it count.

Ideally, a cover letter should be no more than a page in length. Employers don't want to read a lot of information. The main points, your selling points need to jump of the page and capture the reader's attention. You may only need to make a few brief points but they need to be high impact and leave a lasting impression.

Don't just list your skills and expertise; this is what they will read in your resume. Show them what's on offer with carefully constructed powerful sales messages. Lets look at an example of what you might include in your cover letter.

You have identified your skills and expertise in the following manner.
Good communication and written skills
Developed sales and marketing initiatives
Productive in high-pressure environments
Innovative creative thinker
Adaptable and reliable

Now lets look at how you could work this into the first paragraph of your cover letter and relate it to the company and position you are applying for. The first paragraph is a teaser for the rest of the letter and your resume. It needs to grab attention by showing what you have done, what you can do and what you will do for them.

Dear Mr. Smith

My skills are an excellent match with the position you have advertised. During my time as a marketing manager, I have successfully coordinated sales and marketing initiatives and expanded growth considerably across new markets. These experiences along with my other attributes would be invaluable to the position you are looking to fill. I look forward to putting my expertise to work to assist with the development and implementation of your numerous upcoming project objectives.

This example encompasses all of the necessary information that will help to sell your skills and expertise to potential employers. The rest of the letter will provide more examples of what you can do and more company specific information. The first paragraph is vital to the success of your job hunt so you can expect to spend some time perfecting it.

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02. A Professional Cover Letter Will Market Your Candidacy

In a highly competitive job market where time is money and your first chance may be your last, presentation is the key to success. Presentation is the whole package, it is the way you market yourself, the way you communicate your skills and experience and the way you back up your claims with tangible results. The most important aspect of your personal marketing is the first impression. You will not get a second chance at a first impression and this is what many employers will base their decisions on.

Initially employers are not interested in who you are but what you can do for them and what makes you a good candidate for the job. The reality is many employers don't have the time to get to know every candidate in depth before deciding on which candidate is right for the job. Your introduction needs to be effective and results driven in order to capture the attention of your potential employer. You need to grab the attention of your potential employer in the first sentence and maintain their interest throughout.

So how do you make a first impression that lasts? How do you get your potential employer to sit up and pay attention? The answer is a professional cover letter; this is your introduction, your marketing hook. It is a chance to present your skills to potential employers and highlight why you are a viable candidate for the job. A professional cover letter is an invaluable tool in your job correspondence. It is an opportunity to gain a competitive edge and capture the kind of attention you need to succeed in the job market. If you can master the cover letter you will be well on your way to the second stage, an interview.

A professional cover letter acts as a formal introduction, presenting your candidacy to potential employers. It is a direct marketing tool with the power to influence your progression in the job market. A professional cover letter will allow you to make a positive and lasting first impression. This is your chance to give your employer a preview that will make them want to hang around for the feature presentation, your resume. The cover letter should be dynamic and powerful. It needs to draw the reader in and keep them interested.

Cover letters are an effective way to set you apart from the other applicants. Basically a professionally crafted letter of introduction will provide relevant information that links the position requirements with your skill sets. It will give potential employers concise insight into who you are, what you are requesting (interview, meeting, feedback, position), what you can do for them and why you are a good candidate. In today's increasingly competitive market, finding a job is about more than qualifications and experience. It is about how you market yourself, how you present to employers and how you translate your skills into benefits for your employer. A professional cover letter will market your candidacy and increase your competitive edge.

Competitive edge is everything in the job market. There is no reason why an employer should give your cover letter and resume any special attention. You need to make them want to focus their attention on you. You can do this with a great cover letter but you don't have a lot of time or space. Make the most of what you do have to present, offer relevant information that will make an impact on your potential employer. Your cover letter can be your competitive edge, it portrays so much more than just information about you. A well-written appealing letter will present your candidacy in a positive and professional light. It will showcase your skills, highlight your personality and give the employer insight into your motivations. Most of all it will demonstrate what you can do for your potential employer. You can make a great first impression with a professional cover letter.

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03. Common Cover Letter Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Cover letters are an essential marketing tool for the serious job seeker. It is the first point of contact for your potential employer so its needs to be effective and professional. Presentation, relevant content and dynamic copy are all key to the success of your application. However all your good work may be undone if you are not careful to avoid common errors that can detract from the impact of your cover letter.

There is no one sure-fire way to successfully appeal to an employer. You just never can be positive that what you are saying and how you're saying it will leave a lasting impression. You can be sure of one thing though, common errors will not only detract from your letter they will more than likely land your letter in the bin. These errors are easy to avoid if you put some serious time and effort into writing your cover letter. Make use of the vast resources available to you and ensure that you put your best foot forward whenever you address a potential employer.

There are a number of fundamental errors that are consistently made in the job search market. These errors can cost you interviews and jobs if you are not careful to avoid them. Your cover letter is an essential tool in your job search and you need to be aware of the power of its impact. Your letter needs to stand out and separate you from the competition but it should still follow the basic professional cover letter principals.

Common Mistakes - Avoid Them

Spelling and typos - Let's start simple, this is one mistake you don't want to make. Errors of this nature will have a negative impact on your cover letter, no matter how good the content and copy is. Spelling mistakes tell your potential employer that you are careless and not really serious about the position. This is not an image you want to present so be meticulous. Use a program such as Word spelling and grammar check, double check it yourself and then have some one else re check.

When you are reading content repeatedly your brain starts to skim read without you even knowing it, making it easy to miss small mistakes. This is why you should always have a fresh pair of eyes read over your letter. This is a fundamental error that many people make but it is simple to avoid if you take the time to get it right.

Specifics - The use of standardized form cover letters is common for job seekers sending out their resumes. It is important to personalize your cover letter to show your interest, knowledge and connection with the company. Don't just send your cover letter and resume out with nothing but a change in name for each. Take the time to research the company and present specific information that is relevant to your employers.

Information overload - Your cover letter is a unique opportunity to sell yourself it is not a summary of your resume. Job seekers often just relay the information in their resume and call it a cover letter. The information is already there so you don't need to repeat yourself. Keep your cover letter brief and to the point and include information that is not in your resume such as information relevant to the specific position.

Your needs vs. company needs - A common cover letter mistake is outlining why you want or need the job. Employers are not really interested in your needs they are primarily interested in what you can do for them. A brief sentence on why you might want the job is acceptable but anything in further detail should be avoided.

Design - Many job seekers feel the need to be creative with fonts and designs in order to stand out. In business, it is important to keep your cover letter professional. Use standard fonts and simple clean designs. If you want to be creative, do so with your copy.

Addressing employers - Avoid `To whom it may concern' or `Dear sir'. Personalize your correspondence and address the person that will be considering your application. Be sure to get the spelling and title right.

The little things - It is the little things that go a long way towards making or breaking your chances. Small errors such as spelling, typos, misspelled names, faded ink, smudges on the page, disjointed content, forgotten information (phone number is a common one) and over zealous creativity will hinder your opportunities. Present yourself professionally and avoid fundamental errors by putting in the time and effort.

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04. Gaining A Competitive Edge With Your Cover Letter

All too often, a cover letter is the after thought to a well-planned and executed resume. The problem with this is that your cover letter may be the only thing a recruiter reads about you. A poorly written or badly presented cover letter will see your resume cast aside without a second thought. A second thought is exactly what you are after, so how do you make people think twice about you? Give them something that they don't have, your competitive edge. The cover letter is a great place to start your marketing campaign. It is the ideal way to promote your skills to potential employers and set yourself up for future success.

A cover letter is your first opportunity to present your marketable attributes to potential employers. It is your chance to set yourself apart from other applicants. A professional and effective cover letter will give you an edge over your competitors. Instead of having to scan through information in your resume, the recruiter will be able to access valuable specific information without any effort. Your cover letter will provide the most important information employers are looking for, what you can do for them. Above anything else, this is the one thing they want to know and the sooner you can show them the better off you will be.

A cover letter is like a short advertisement for the whole package that is your qualifications, skills and experience. It should be dynamic and make the reader want to know more. Employers want to know what you are about, what you can do and what proven results you have achieved and they don't want to read through pages of information to find that out. Think of the advantages if your recruiter can get this information in one page.

Your cover letter not only gives you the chance to showcase your abilities in relation to what you can do for the company it is also a great way to present your other attributes. A well-written cover letter portrays professionalism, attention to detail, marketing knowledge, initiative and innovation. These are all skills that will be highly valued in any business. You cover letter can be your competitive edge.

The key to gaining a competitive edge with your cover letter is to give employers what they want. Easy to read, accessible, relevant and demonstrative information about you and what makes you more suited for the job than the other 50 applicants. The cover letter is a great way to provide this information in a simple and time effective manner.

If you have a professional cover letter to accompany your resume, you are already making life easier for your potential employer. They will appreciate that and in turn give you a second thought. It makes sense to spend as much time on your cover letter as you would on your resume. Look at it as another opportunity to sell yourself. A cover letter is not only a professional way to introduce your application it is a great way to highlight your unique attributes.

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05. The 5 Elements Of A Highly Effective Cover Letter

What makes a cover letter effective? What makes employers want to learn more about a candidate? Why should any recruiter give your resume more time than the next candidate? Why should an employer select you for an interview? What sets you apart from your competitors and how do you show all that in a cover letter? The secret is simplicity. It is your job to make the employers life easier. Your cover letter needs to provide all the right information in an accessible manner so that the person reading it can decide almost instantly whether you are worth pursuing or not. This means making your unique selling points jump off the page. Effective cover letters get straight to the point.

Your cover letter should include relevant results orientated information in a concise easy to follow manner. It should read almost like a sales letter that calls to action your potential employers. You should look at your cover letter like a marketing opportunity and enlist some proven marketing strategies to help you land the job of your dreams. Know your audience and target your letter appropriately. How you present your information is as important as what you actually have to say.
5 elements

Keep it simple - clear, concise and to the point. You should stick to short sentences and avoid content that is ambiguous and disjointed. Your points should follow a clear structure and be reader friendly. Anything more than 1 page for a cover letter is pointless. Everything you have to say you should be able to say it in 1 page. Use bullet points to break up the content and give it a more appealing appearance.

Personalize - address the recruiter directly e.g. Dear Mr/Mrs Smith. It is worth the time it takes to call and find out who your application will be read by. Include company specific information and avoid emailing cover letters unless asked to. The more company and positional knowledge you show the more attention you will draw to your application. Always address your letter personally rather than using a common salutation like "To whom it may concern" as this kind of greeting will not concern anyone.

Attention - capture the recruiters' attention in the first paragraph; make them want to learn more about you. Show them what you have to offer. Use the first few lines to demonstrate how hiring you will be beneficial to the company. Highlight how your skills are a match for the position. Promote yourself and be confident.

Benefits - link your skills and experience to tangible benefits you can provide for the company. What can you do for them? How do you plan on doing it? What will they get out of hiring you? This is essential if you want to get an interview. Employers want proof that you can do what you say you can. Provide that proof with results you have achieved in other roles.

Call to action - finish with a specific action you would like them to take, e.g. "I would like the opportunity to discuss this matter further with you" or "I would like to set up an interview with you next week to talk more about this opportunity. Be specific with what you want to happen next even if it is just you committing to a follow up call.

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06. The Fundamentals of a Dynamic Cover Letter

Your cover letter and resume are like a direct sales and marketing package that is designed to sell your individual skills, qualifications and experiences to a potential employer. Employers are looking primarily at what you can provide for the company, how your skills and experience can benefit them. The purpose of a cover letter is to sum that up clearly and concisely so that the recruiters' job is that much easier.

The fundamentals of a dynamic cover letter that convert into interviews are simple. Keep it brief and to the point, demonstrate knowledge and abilities and present professionalism. A dynamic cover letter will encompass all these things and include relevant content that will initiate a response. You don't have a lot of time; in fact, many employers won't read past the first paragraph unless you grab their attention early.

Keep it brief - Time is money so you need to be concise and to the point, no more than one page of copy is required for a dynamic cover letter. Your sentences should be short and clean and paragraphs cohesive and meaningful. 4-5 short paragraphs are more than enough for a cover letter.

Demonstrate knowledge and abilities - To begin with, you should outline the position you are applying for and how you came across it. E.g. "I am writing to apply for the sales assistant position you have advertised on Job Net. This role is an excellent match for my qualifications."

In the first paragraph, you should demand the reader's attention by demonstrating what you can do for them. What can you offer them that will set you apart from other applicants? Your unique selling points are what will incite the reader to look at your resume.

Outline in a sentence or two a few of the benefits you can offer potential employers, results achieved and accomplishments that are relevant.

Paragraph 2 should expand on this, with a sentence outlining qualifications and experience relevant to the position. If you don't have experience in the specific field, focus on skills that are transferable.

Use dynamic language and copy to sell yourself. High impact words can enhance your message, be careful not to over do it though. These are often called action verbs. They are words that are proven to make an impact on the reader.

The third paragraph should further relate your skills to the company's requirements. Do your homework and demonstrate your understanding of the company. Company knowledge is essential to a good cover letter. It shows you have taken the time to find out about the company, its goals and culture. Employers want to know you are prepared to put in the work and go the extra mile.

Show how your unique abilities are a match with company goals and the position's requirements. This is very important; employers want to know how your unique skills are going to benefit them. These need to be presented in a tangible way.

The final paragraph is a call to action. You need to present a request for further contact such as an interview. Outline how you plan to follow up and how they can contact you. Also, add a final touch of enthusiasm or confidence in your match with the position. Always follow through on what you say your going to.

• Present Professionalism

• Stick to simple designs and standard fonts

• Double check spelling, grammar and typos

• Always do what you say your going to and follow up

• Pay attention to the little things that make a big difference, don't forget to add contact details, check the spelling of company names, titles and address.

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07. Your Cover Letter Is The Answer To Your Job Search

A cover letter should be written as a response to your job search. Unlike a resume, your cover letter should be specifically tailored to present information relevant to the company and position. Every cover letter you write will be different in that it is directly targeted towards a very specific audience. A cover letter will contain information about the company, the position and about your personal qualities, experiences and achievements that are relevant to the job.

There are three basic types of cover letters you may use:

• Letter to a recruiter

• Response to advertisement

• Cold call letter

A letter to a recruiter is simply a cover letter outlining your attributes, job interests, proven results, accomplishments and possible company benefits. You may not be applying for a specific position so your approach will be a little different from a direct response letter. This kind of cover letter will express your knowledge of the company, its goals and philosophies (very briefly) and what you can do for them. If you are writing to an agency without any job or company in mind you need to change the focus a little. Your main aim is to outline your career objectives and job interests so that they can help you to find a suitable role.

A cover letter in response to a job advertisement will be more specific to a particular position within the company. This is your chance to present skills, experience and qualifications that make you a match for the role. It is also your one opportunity to gain an edge over your competitors. A cover letter presents more than just qualifications it presents image. Demonstrating company knowledge is a must for cover letters of this nature. You need to be as specific as possible.

A cold call letter is used in the case where there is no specific job advertisement. This will basically present your attributes in a more generalized way but with specific links to the company and what you can do for them. This kind of letter is good for introducing yourself to potential employment opportunities. Even if there is no job opening at the time a good cover letter will put you in the picture for future opportunities. It is also a great way to network for future connections and widen your network circle. Even if nothing comes of it you will have made some useful contacts.

Your cover letter is a response to an advertisement or a job description. You should be as specific as possible every time you write a cover letter. This is your opportunity to open the door to a new job. A good cover letter will ensure your resume is read and might even land you an interview.

Taking the time to understand the basic principals of cover letter writing is essential. Avoid common errors and always write with your audience in mind. The one thing that can make or break you job search is a good cover letter.

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