Tips for Boosting Effectiveness of Your Cover Letter

You should realize that a résumé and a cover letter should always come together. They function more effectively as a pair. A cover letter should facilitate further explanations and descriptions about yourself, your job experience, your skills, and other information that could not have been mentioned or discussed in the résumé.

Many jobseekers do not understand and use the actual power of cover letters. You could easily make your cover letter effective and persuasive even if writing or composition is not your line of expertise. Here are some tips to help you do so.

• Do some research about the company or employer before writing your résumé and cover letter. Familiarize yourself with the company's business, background, industry standing, news, strategies, and mission and vision so you could adjust your writing treatment appropriately. If no name of hiring manager is provided in the job advertisement, you may call the office to check on whom you should address your letter.

• Make it a point to address hiring managers personally. It is always advisable to address them through their names.

• Write a strong opening paragraph. You may start by telling how you have learned about the vacant position. Then, be direct-to-the-point in mentioning your interest in applying for the post. Most of the time, prospective employers are impressed in shorter but precise content of letters.

• Expand upon main points and highlights of your résumé. In doing so, do not just repeat information mentioned in your résumé; instead, describe and explain how your skills and experiences could be your advantage in delivering the requirements of the job post. It would be ideal if you could give concrete examples to demonstrate and explain your assertions.

• As much as possible, avoid discussing anything about your expected salary in the cover letter, unless you are required. To most employers, applicants who do so are getting presumptuous. There is a proper time for negotiations, most likely during a meeting or when asked by the hiring manager during the job interview.

• In closing the letter, do not forget to thank the employer for taking time to read your résumé and cover letter. You could also outline your next probable steps, like contacting the office for follow ups. This could indicate your strong interest and enthusiasm for the vacancy. Include your contact details in your cover letter.

• Proofread the letter for possible typographical and grammatical errors. Many employers are easily turned off and annoyed by job applicants who do not take time ensuring the quality of their documents.

• Use the proper and effective format. If you are sending the application through e-mail, present your résumé and cover letter in a plain text document so that whatever happens, the files could be read by the employer no matter what program or computer applications are used. You could still attach the Word files of both documents.