Job hunting can be a frustrating and tedious journey, beginning with how to write a cover letter and your resume. So many job seekers become flustered at creating their cover letters that a lot skip it entirely, if not use a generic template where they fill in the blanks.
Whether it’s the resume or the cover letter that gives you pause and hives, hurting your job search before you get going, we have some tips and tricks to help your resume and cover letter stand out of the pile.
Why are Cover Letters Important?
You may not want to know this, but cover letters can be valued more than resumes by some companies. Of course, this depends on the position you’re after, but in either case, it is still a very important tool to stand out amongst other applicants. The cover letter shows a potential employer that you’re not only qualified, but you have excellent written communication skills and gives you the opportunity to make a first impression.
Cover letters are a story you get to share before your first interview, explaining your skills and translating them into why you’re a good fit for the job. The cover letter displays your personality, a tool to form a relationship with the potential employer, and gives you the opportunity to highlight what you bring to the table while also underscoring why you want to work there.
Never underestimate the power of a cover letter, no matter how difficult you may find writing it.
Tips for Writing a Cover Letter
- Expand on your resume: the cover letter is an opportunity to convert facts and bullet points on your resume into detailed explanations, expanding on your qualifications.
- Customize the letter to the job: it may be difficult to hear, but having several cover letters is an asset. Having a template is fine, but you want to tailor it to the job you’re after rather than having it read like spam. Hiring managers usually read dozens upon dozens of cover letters when looking for a new person to onboard, so you want to use job-specific language to catch their attention.
- Write concisely: cover letters work best when they’re efficient. Take time to edit and cut out unnecessary words or repetitive sentences. One trick for an effective cover letter is to write each paragraph with highly relevant and purposeful content. Hiring managers appreciate the effort to condense the letter and make it easier for them to find the most important information quickly.
- Edit before submission: proofreading is always important. Few things are more embarrassing than finding basic spelling and grammar errors in your cover letter after submitting it. Besides, it displays attention to detail and showcases your capable professionalism.
How to Make a Great Resume
As we all know, a cover letter is half the battle. Next comes the list of skills and accomplishments, otherwise known as a resume or CV. To help your resume stand out, adopt these tips and tricks:
- Understand what they’re looking for: you already know the job you’re after and the career you’re looking to build for yourself, that’s what to keep in mind when writing your resume. Consider what should be included, the keywords they’re likely to search for and keep in mind the companies you want a position in.
- Keep it concise: it isn’t unusual for a resume to be two pages, but one-page resumes stand out more. As you write your resume, make sure to only include information that helps to stand out against competition while avoiding redundant skills and fluff. Include what matters to the job you want.
- Make it visually appealing: it has been said that resumes should only be designed if you want a designer position, but that isn’t the case. Recruiters and hiring managers appreciate professional creativity and not staring at an endless amount of eyesores. Make sure your font size and style is legible, keep the designs minimal and aesthetically appealing, and remember that this isn’t the time to be too far outside of a professional box.
- Proofread: it applies to cover letters and applies to resumes as well. Always submit an easy-to-read and error-free resume, it demonstrates your ability to pay attention to detail and your professionalism. This is especially important when writing different resumes for different positions, it’s easy to lose track and what applies where.
Cover Letter & Resume Help: Get the Job You Want
Provisional Recruiting has been placing people in a range of positions for over twenty years. Our expertise has helped both job hunters and employers find the professional match that suits both best throughout the Northwest. Our job experts and recruiting specialists post quality jobs for our community’s talent, ensuring the match is right for everyone.
Want help landing the job you’re after and have expert job search tips and effective job search techniques on hand? Contact us and explore our job board before setting out on your new career.