Your resume must have a cover letter when you apply for a job.

Why is the cover letter important?

• It is the first impression that you will make.
• It convinces the employer to read your resume and call you for an interview. It has to be powerful.

What does the cover letter do?

• It introduces who you are.
• It is a summary of why you are a good fit for the job.
• It explains important points in your career. For example, how important your work was to your previous employer/s, or what your top skills are.

To make a powerful cover letter, it should be:

1. Specific and genuine
• The first sentences should say why you are writing to them and why they need you.
• Go straight to the point and be original.
• Read Careerealism’s fresh new ways to start a cover letter to be inspired.

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2. Enthusiastic
• Express your enthusiasm and passion for the job. One way to do this is to connect your top skills to the company’s values.
• Research about the company to know which skills to highlight.

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3. Not repetitive
• Don’t repeat your resume.
• Instead, explain how you got a promotion, or commendation. Express which parts of the job you love and excel in.
• Don’t just tell them that you are a hard worker. Give examples.
• Tell them clearly what you can contribute to the company.

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4. Personalized
• Never use “To Whom it May Concern” or “Dear HR or Recruitment Manager”.
• Find out the name of the hiring manager or the head of the department you are applying to.
• Visit the company website or search on Google or LinkedIn. You can also call the company and ask.
• Use a warm salutation like “Sincerely” or “Kind regards”.
• Sign your cover letter for that personal touch (if by mail).

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5. Easy to access and read
• Follow instructions in the want ad.
• Check if you need to send the letter in a certain format (examples: document or pdf). Or whether as an attachment or body of an email.
• Make it easy for them to open and read your letter.

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6. Formal and concise
• Your letter should always look professional.
• Use the active voice.
• Don’t forget to thank the recruiter for their time.
• Don’t use fancy fonts, emoticons or loud colors.
• The letter should be one-page, with 2-3 paragraphs.

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7. Proactive
• Have a plan to follow-up.
• Mention in the letter that you will call after a week or a few days.
• Use the opportunity to check if they received your application or schedule the meeting or interview.

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8. Error-free
• Read and check the letter before sending it out.
• Ask someone else to read your cover letter. Another person will be able to see the errors better than you.