Here’s What Makes a Cover Letter as Crucial as a Resume
A candidate’s application should reflect their strengths and abilities and convince a hiring team to choose them from hundreds of applications. While a resume takes care of a candidate’s educational qualifications and experience, a cover letter is a supplementary document that expands on an applicant’s personality, abilities, and soft skills. A highly personalized and well-written cover letter can persuade a hiring manager to consider you for the role at hand.
Cover letter vs. resume
A resume is a mandatory and structured document that lists specific facts and personal information about an applicant, their contact details, educational qualifications, jobs held so far, and achievements.
A cover letter is crucial for middle, senior, and executive-level jobs. Candidates share details about their capabilities and cumulative experience and how they transfer these skills to the new position. The cover letter fills any gaps that your resume may have. For example, if you have a break in your career or education, you can explain it in your cover letter. While sharing facts and information in a resume, you use a cover letter to market yourself. A hiring manager cannot instantly interpret a resume, but a cover letter helps them get a new perspective about the candidate.
Structure of a Cover Letter
An organized, structured, and well-formatted cover letter helps a hiring manager develop a positive professional image about you. A well-structured cover letter has the following sections:
Header
Include name, contact information, and links to professional websites or social media profiles.
Salutation
Address the hiring manager by name if you know it, or use a professional salutation.
Introduction
Include one sentence each about your past, current, and future career roles.
Experience
Talk about your critical skills and strengths. Write how you can use it for the benefit of the organization. Refer to similar past roles or projects that you have been part of. Use measurable metrics to describe your achievements.
Values
Read the job posting and explain how your long-term career goals match the job’s expectations. Be clear about why you think the job is the right match for you.
Call to Action
Mention your availability for the initial interviews and your willingness to travel or relocate. You can also indicate how soon you can join the organization. In this section, you can include a line about your salary expectations and if you are open to negotiation.
Signature
Use a professional closing phrase like “Best Regards” or “Sincerely” and complete the cover letter.
Tips for Writing a Good Cover Letter
Here are four tips that can make your cover letter noticeable among the many applications a hiring manager may receive:
Research the Role and Personalize Your Content
Read the job posting carefully, visit the company website, and research the internet to learn more about the role. Organize the points and link them to your abilities in the cover letter.
Don’t Paraphrase Your Resume
Since a cover letter is a supporting document for your resume, avoid repetition of information. Elaborate on significant skills, awards, or achievements in your resume.
Keep it Concise
Organize content for about one paragraph each for Introduction, Experience, Values, and Call to action. While a one-page cover letter is ideal, you can go up to two pages if the position is an executive role where you may have multiple skills to showcase.
Do Not Exaggerate
Most hiring managers note points that catch their attention and quiz you about those points during an interview. Only use achievements that can be supported by evidence. For example, if you claim that you have achieved record sales in your previous organization, you should have a commendation letter or communication to prove that claim.