You all must be quite aware that in the age of digital recruitment and Online interviews, the interview asks to share resume along with Cover letter. Is the cover letter really necessary and How do we write it and what should we not include in our cover letter and to understand it better we must first know what is cover letter?

Many candidates choose not to include cover letters, so putting in a little extra work can really go the extra mile for you in the long run. Including a cover letter is a great way to express your interest in a company and stand out against other candidates.

A covering letter is a one-page document addressed to the interviewer or potential employer that includes your contact details, the role you are applying for and further detail surrounding the information in your CV. Cover letters should highlight your interest in the role and expand on your skills and experiences that make you best suited for the position. It should be specific to the position you’re applying for, centered on what you’d bring to the table, and not focused on what you’d want out of the company in terms of salary, progression or other demands.

Here are tips for writing a cover letter that will convince hiring managers and HR professionals to interview you.

1. Do your research before you start writing: This will help to give you a clue of the appropriate tone to use in the cover letter and the points you should include, bearing in mind such factors as the organisation’s industry, its mission and Key leadership. Look at such sources as the organisation’s official website and social media profiles, mention other relevant skills your resume may not illustrate Draw attention to specific skills and experience that make you an ideal candidate

 

2. Personalise it. This information is easier to find than it has ever been before, so you really don’t have much excuse for getting any names wrong or not addressing the cover letter personally to the hiring manager. And certainly, don’t just copy and paste your cover letter for every position you apply for – make it personal and targeted every time. It’ll be obvious to an employer if you’ve just edited a few words of the same cover letter that you send to everyone else, which may suggest you have little real interest in the vacancy

 

3. Tailor your cover letter to a specific job: Write a cover letter employer can’t ignore by tying it to the elements of the job that match your unique skills and experience. What are they asking for that you’re especially good at? Those are the points to stress when writing a cover letter. Just as important, gather facts and figures that support your claims. For example, if you’re applying for a managerial role, mention the size of teams and budgets you’ve managed. If it’s a sales role, describe specific sales goals you’ve achieved.

 

4. Be proud of your past accomplishments: Companies want confident employees who love their work. They know these are the people who tend to perform better, serve as stronger team members and have greater potential to grow along with the business. Don’t hesitate to brag a little about your most achievements.

 

5. Keep it brief: The content must sound real and grab attention, just like how you present your resume with correct skills and information Cover letters are no exception. Managers are often inundated with applications, where less volume speaks a lot about you. Keep your cover letter to no more than one page if printed. Short is sweet.

 

6. Address the hiring manager personally: Just as you personalize your resume to the role, you should also address the cover letter to the person actually hiring for the position as it will also add volume and show you have done your research. If it’s not spelled out in the job posting, check on LinkedIn or call on board line number to get correct details.

 

7. Use keywords from the job description: Many employers use resume-filtering software that scans for keywords and evaluates how closely resumes and cover letters match the preferred skills and experience. That means your cover letter should incorporate key phrases mentioned in the job description and You have to be honest with your skill sets.

 

8. Proofread your cover letter: Most important of all, once you’re convinced you’ve made a strong argument for your candidacy, it’s time to proofread your work. Thoroughly check spellings, grammar, punctuation or ask friend or colleague to proof read it. Even a single typographical error can damage your chances of landing an interview. After you’ve given your letter a final polish, ask a friend with strong grammar, punctuation and spelling skills to review it. Consider providing a copy of the job posting so your friend can make sure you’ve hit all the right points.

 

While your resume provides an overview of your skills and experience, the cover letter is your opportunity to express your personality in one pager A cover letter should bring your CV to life. By following the above advice, you can make yourself an interesting cover letter so that you have a greater likelihood of being shortlisted for interview.