Why you need to nail your cover letter

Cover letters give your application a little boost by:

• Introducing yourself and showcasing your awesome communication skills
• Highlighting good points in your career and drawing the reader’s attention to your most relevant experience
• Illustrating your knowledge of the organisation by writing in their tone and style
• Enticing the reader by sharing how you can help them with your skill set

What makes a great cover letter

For a cover letter to really stand out, don’t forget to mix the following elements into your writing:

Keep it brief

Keep things short and sweet. The most effective cover letters typically run for no more than 3 paragraphs. Everything that you need is already in your resume, so don’t make the mistake of summarising it again.

Personality

Don’t spend an entire paragraph saying how thankful you are for having your cover letter read. Thank them after you get the job. Cut the formality. Skip the niceties. The last thing you want is to sound like a copy-pasting robot.

Substance

Be sure to highlight the key points that really explain why you are the best person for the job!

• What contributions have you made to your previous employment? If you don’t quite have the right experience in that particular field, then what transferable skills from work life or home life can you use?
• Why are you applying to this company in particular?
• How will your skill set improve their current systems?

These are the things employers want to know about you. Skip the small talk and get straight to the brag!

Making your cover letter more interesting

Aside from these elements, there are other things you can do to create a cover letter with impact. Want to stand out from the long-list of applicants? Here’s how:

1. Tell a story

Whether it’s the story of how you boosted sales or a short tale on why you fell in love with this company in the first place, a story is a great way to get intimate with the reader. It shows that you put effort into your writing. At the same time, you are giving them a more in-depth picture of you as an applicant and potential employee.

2. Nail your first line

If you want something to stand out, hit them hard with just the first line. Mention an achievement or a skill that really stands out. Having a perfect first line sets you apart from the rest.

3. Include testimonials

Use referrals if you have them. Only include anecdotes that are relevant to the industry or company you are applying to in order to really hit the nail on the head.

Don’t be scared, be you!

The best thing about cover letters is that they are fair game. Even if you don’t have amazing stats to back you up, or an article feature about your major contributions, there is still enough space to help employers see why you are the perfect fit.

Maybe it’s your witty personality or your perfect opening line or your passion to serve the organisation. At the end of the day, a cover letter is the ultimate sales pitch – if you believe the product is good, the rest will inevitably follow.

Don’t forget your resume, either!

Once you’ve gained some confidence writing your cover letter, you should also look at your resume to make sure it’s the best it can be too. Take a read of our article on how to nail your resume here.

Not sure how to take the next step in your employment search? Get in touch with our friendly team here to find out how we can help you navigate the world of work. When you sign-up with CoAct, your employment needs are our number one priority. It’s why we provide personalised, one-on-one support, giving you the tools you need to find the right job sooner.

And yep, as your co-pilot, we will work with you to nail your resume and cover letter, as well as provide a whole host of other services to help you on your way.