Writing a good cover letter is very important because it is your first contact with your potential employer. It is a unique way of marketing yourself and creating a good first impression with the reader. It serves as a supplement to the information in your CV. A cover letter convinces the reader that you have researched the organization and expresses your confidence in your skills for the job. The tone of your cover letter must be such that you convince them that you are the best person for the job and that the company should hire you instead of other applicants.
Below is a step-by-step approach to how to write an excellent cover letter:
When writing a cover letter, the first thing to do is to gather as much information as possible about your employer. Know about the firm's history, achievements, and goals. This will give you credibility when you state the reasons why you want to work for them.
The business style layout is preferable to use when writing a cover letter. Ensure that you make use of the right titles and avoid spelling errors. Make sure you include your contact information.
In the opening paragraph, be friendly and avoid starting with your name. Explain what you know about the job, and declare your intention to apply for it. Let your words express a deep interest in the job and your willingness to fulfil the demands of the job. Discuss your relevant skills and experience.
The next step is to state why you think you are the best person for the job. This is the part where you promote yourself by highlighting your best skills and how they relate to the job. Talk about your abilities and how they can help you contribute to the growth of the organization. Be detailed about your academic experiences, highlight what you learned, some problems you encountered in your projects, and how you solved them. Try to explain how applicable your abilities are to the job at hand.
The next important thing is to reveal why you wish to work for the company. Here you talk about what you think about the company and why you think it would be a suitable place for you to work.
The ending is a crucial part of your cover letter. Ensure you finish with a positive remark and emphasize why you think you are the best for the job. Be as polite as you can while promoting yourself. You don't want to be perceived as overconfident or proud. Close the letter professionally, including your first and last name.
This is perhaps an essential aspect of writing a good cover letter. Your letter must be read again and checked for spelling and typographical errors. Give it some time after reading it, and then reread it. You may come across sentences you have to rewrite or changes you need to make to bring them to perfection. Getting a second person's opinion is not a bad idea. That way, you can understand how an external reader will perceive you by reading your letter.
Cover letters are your best chance of convincing employers that you are the right person for the job. Hence, it is essential to write them logically and informally, reflecting your uniqueness. Cover letters should be written for a specific role and must be specific to a particular company. It is therefore advised to avoid using the same cover letter for different jobs.