Before you submit your cover letter to recruiters or hiring managers, consider the following questions to gauge its readiness.
How is your cover letter addressed?
Most cover letters are overly generic. Letters addressed to “Dear Hiring Manager,” “To Whom it May Concern” or reference “The Open Position,” suggest you aren’t taking the time to personalize your application. Your willingness to spend a few extra minutes to find out the name of the hiring manager and to personalize your letter can go a long way.
Most cover letters are overly generic. Letters addressed to “Dear Hiring Manager,” “To Whom it May Concern” or reference “The Open Position,” suggest you aren’t taking the time to personalize your application. Your willingness to spend a few extra minutes to find out the name of the hiring manager and to personalize your letter can go a long way.
How does your cover letter show you’re the right fit for a job opening?
Mention one or more of the stated qualifications from the job posting and outline how you meet them. If the job posting you are responding to states specifically that you need 7 years experience in Help Desk Management, your cover letter needs to be clear that you meet that qualification. You are putting a spotlight on a qualification that the hiring manager was specifically looking for.
Mention one or more of the stated qualifications from the job posting and outline how you meet them. If the job posting you are responding to states specifically that you need 7 years experience in Help Desk Management, your cover letter needs to be clear that you meet that qualification. You are putting a spotlight on a qualification that the hiring manager was specifically looking for.
How does your cover letter show the employer that you’ve read the job posting?
Follow the instructions regarding how to apply. If the posting states to specifically mention qualifications listed in posting or specifically mention the job listed in the posting then do so. The hiring manager is not looking for a generic format cover letter, they are looking for someone who has taken the time to follow the steps in the add and understood them.
Follow the instructions regarding how to apply. If the posting states to specifically mention qualifications listed in posting or specifically mention the job listed in the posting then do so. The hiring manager is not looking for a generic format cover letter, they are looking for someone who has taken the time to follow the steps in the add and understood them.
What job opportunity does your cover letter say you’re interested in?
Mention the specific job title in the job posting. If you have been looking for an Executive Assistant position, but you are responding to an Office Management position make sure you update your letter. The last thing the hiring manager will want to see is a cover letter that does not seem to pertain to the posting at all.
Mention the specific job title in the job posting. If you have been looking for an Executive Assistant position, but you are responding to an Office Management position make sure you update your letter. The last thing the hiring manager will want to see is a cover letter that does not seem to pertain to the posting at all.
Last, but not least…
Take the time to read and re-read your letter before sending it. Yes, you want to be on the top of the pile and get your resume in first, but you will not get there by having spelling and grammar errors, or not taking the time to be specific about the position you are applying to. It never hurts to have a second pair of eyes, have a friend or colleague read your cover letter before sending it, they may catch something you didn’t.
Take the time to read and re-read your letter before sending it. Yes, you want to be on the top of the pile and get your resume in first, but you will not get there by having spelling and grammar errors, or not taking the time to be specific about the position you are applying to. It never hurts to have a second pair of eyes, have a friend or colleague read your cover letter before sending it, they may catch something you didn’t.
Now you’re reading job postings carefully, customizing your cover letter to address what you see, and doing your homework to ensure your correspondence doesn’t sound like a form letter. You should be meeting with the hiring manager in no time at all. Good Luck!
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