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 Even in the age of digital
recruiting, knowing how to write a cover letter is key. It’s
your introduction to a company and opportunity to make a great
first impression. But many job seekers treat it as an afterthought
to writing a resume — or don’t write one at all. Here
are five tips for writing a standout cover letter that will
convince hiring managers and HR professionals to interview you.
- Don’t repeat your resume.
Instead, draw attention to specific skills and experience that
make you an ideal candidate or that may not be present on your
resume. Briefly explain why you would love to work for the
company and would be a good fit for the position.
- Tailor your cover letter to a specific job.
A one-size-fits all approach won’t make a positive
impression. Write a cover letter employers can’t ignore
by tying it to the elements of the job that match your unique
skills and experience.
- Address the hiring manager personally.
It’s a key best practice to address the cover letter to
the person actually hiring for the position. If it’s not
in the job posting, call the employer’s main phone number
and ask for the hiring manager’s name and title.
- Use keywords. Many employers use
resume-filtering software that scans for keywords and
evaluates how closely resumes and cover letters match the
job description. Include key phrases from the description
if they match your expertise and background.
- Address any concerns. The cover letter
is also a place to preemptively explain anything that might
give a hiring manager pause, such as a gap in employment. If
you have been out of work, briefly explain what you’ve
done to keep your skills up to date.
For more tips on writing a cover letter and resume, visit
The Creative Group blog.
The Creative Group (TCG) specializes in connecting creative,
digital, marketing, advertising and public relations talent with
the best companies. More information can be found at
roberthalf.com/creativegroup.
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