Your future career depends on your cover letter!
That is why it is so important to make sure that your cover letter stands out. Your cover letter is your first impression to employers. They are looking over hundreds of applications from competitors, but what sets you apart from them?
Thats what you need to write about in your cover letter. The employer should be intrigued by your letter, compelling them to read more rather than move on to the next one.
Many people find it hard to write about themselves, but i’m confident that these cover letter tips will help you determine the value that you offer to an employer.
Formatting
If your cover letter is not formatted correctly, the employer might just move on to the next applicant.
There should be 1 space between each line in the heading, in between each paragraph, and between each line of the signature. However, you will want to put a double space between the heading and first paragraph, as well as between the third paragraph and the signature.
The steps below will show you how to create and format a perfect cover letter so that you will feel confident when applying for future jobs.
Header
The format below is for a general cover letter:
Month date, year
Re: Position Title Your Applying For
To Whom it May Concern,
Paragraph 1
(1 sentence introducing yourself)
My name is Lisa Rudin and I am eagerly seeking a (position title) position.
Paragraph 2:
( 3 to 5 sentences explaining your experience and qualifications)
You only have 3 to 5 sentences to explain why you are the best applicant for this position. You want to strategically combine multiple past experiences into one sentence. For example,
“During the first two jobs that I obtained after receiving my BA in communications I learned how to create compelling web and social content on behalf of clients from various industries.”
The sentence above combines 2 professional jobs that I have had. It also explains the tasks that I performed for my previous employers, as well as the fact that I have a bachelor’s in communications. In order to combine these ideas you need to get creative with your words.
Use exciting adjectives like keene eye, or extensive knowledge. You want to make yourself sound like the best catch, without looking like you are trying to hard. In this paragraph you can also add a sentence or 2 about your personality. For example, you could say “I am a creative individual with a passion for graphic design.” This shows that you are passionate about your career while showing a glimpse of who you are as a person.
The last sentence should explain what you can offer the company as well as something you can gain from position.
Paragraph 3:
(2 sentences thanking the employer, and notifying them of how to reach you)
I really appreciate you taking the time to look over my resume and cover letter. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me via phone or email.
Signature
Sincerely,
Your Name
Phone Number
Website/ Portfolio
Below is an example of one my cover letters for you to reference:
November 10, 2017
Re: Content Writer
To Whom it May Concern,
My name is Lisa Rudin and I am eagerly seeking a position as a content writer.
After obtaining my bachelor’s degree in communications, I began my first full time marketing job as a content developer at an SEO and social media marketing agency. Creating compelling content for client’s blogs was my specialty. As the content developer I was also in charge of rewriting website copy to ensure that each page was optimized correctly for specific keywords in order to improve client’s SEO rankings. The second position I obtained was a social media content creator, where I was in charge of conceptualizing and creating blog content on behalf of clients from various industries. Recently I have been freelancing as a graphic designer specializing in blogs, branding, graphics, and WordPress Websites. My ability to conceptualize and create audience-specific copy that represents each brands individual voice makes me a great candidate for this position. I would love to have the opportunity to learn and grow with your company.
I really appreciate you taking the time to read over my cover letter and resume. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me via phone or email.
Sincerely,
Lisa Rudin
Phone Number
lisagreydesigns@gmail.com
lisagreydesigns.com/blog
Remember, make your cover letter interesting. If it is too long, or too wordy, no one will want to take the time to read it.
I hope that these cover letter tips will help you land your dream job!
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