Are you having difficulty with your cover letter?

Drafting compelling cover letters is a skill you must master if you plan to enter a job search any time soon. Your resume may list all your impressive achievements, but your cover letter will allow you to speak to the hiring manager as a person and tell them why you are the perfect fit for the role. Your passion and enthusiasm are two things that your cover letter must convey to the hiring manager for them to consider meeting you for an interview.

Understand the goal of the cover letter

Before you start writing anything, you must understand why you are creating a cover letter . Is it just because the employer has requested one or because you feel like your application is empty without one? The goals behind your cover letter are to introduce yourself to the recruiter, show them that you are interested in the role, and emphasize a few relevant achievements and skills.

Find information about the employer and the job

You need to know everything you can about the employer and the job before you start writing your cover letter . Do a bit of internet research to find the company website and read up on their mission, vision, and business values. Also, use online job boards to gain an idea of the common requirements for the job title.

Create a good header

The header of your cover letter is similar to that of your resume. You should mention your name and target job title in the header. Your contact information too must go in the cover letter header. One important thing, don’t use the actual header or footer portion of the document to mention this information. Create your own header on the document.

Decide on the right salutation

If you are acquainted with the hiring manager, you can go for a casual greeting to start off your cover letter . However, if you are not familiar with them, it is best to use a formal greeting. If you don’t know the name of the hiring manager, you can research the company on LinkedIn to find it out. Or you can call the HR department of the employer and inquire about it.

Write a powerful introduction

A strong introduction sets the tone for your cover letter. Simply introduce yourself by mentioning who you are and why you are applying for the position. This is also the place where you should mention a referral , a mutual connection, or a company achievement.

Talk about your skills in the body

The body of your cover letter must be dedicated to highlighting your skills that align with the job. You can also bring a few of your professional achievements to the hiring manager’s attention here. Use examples and results to describe your achievements, but refrain from repeating your entire resume.

Use keywords throughout

Your cover letter and resume, together, must create a strong case for you. This is why it is important for you to match your cover letter to the resume . Do this by incorporating relevant keywords from the job description to your cover letter as well. Be sure to align your cover letter with the job description.

Create a good closing

The closing paragraph of your cover letter is important. Reiterate your interest in the position and mention how you are passionate about working with the employer. Include a call to action in your closing paragraph. Then, end your cover letter with a formal valediction.