Cover Letters
The cover letter is your first chance to make an impression on a hiring manager. Your cover letter needs to be brief, easily-readable and encourage the hiring manager to want to learn more about you.
The cover letter is your first chance to make an impression on a hiring manager. Your cover letter needs to be brief, easily-readable and encourage the hiring manager to want to learn more about you.
Hiring managers are looking for people who can help them solve problems. Through research, show that you know what the company does and some of the challenges it faces. These don’t need to be specific, but you might mention a trend that’s affected the industry. For example, you might write, “A lot of healthcare companies are grappling with how the changing laws will affect their ability to provide high-quality care.” Then talk about how your experience has equipped you to meet those needs; perhaps explain how you solved a similar problem in the past or share a relevant accomplishment.
Make it clear why you want the position. “In today’s economy, a lot of people have the right skills, so employers want someone who really wants the job,” says Jodi Glickman, a communications expert and author of Great on the Job. “Enthusiasm conveys personality,” adds John Lees, a UK-based career strategist and author of Knockout CV . He suggests writing something like, “I’d love to work for your company. Who wouldn’t? You’re the industry leader, setting standards that others only follow.” Don’t bother applying if you’re not excited about some aspect of the company or role. “Sending out 100 résumés is a waste of time. Find the 10 companies you want to work for and put some heart and soul into it,” Glickman says. At the same time, don’t go overboard with the flattery or say anything you don’t mean. Authenticity is crucial. “You don’t want to sound like a gushing teenager,” Glickman warns. Be professional and mature. Lees notes that in some industries, like fashion or technology, it’s more appropriate to say how much you love a company’s product or services. A good rule of thumb is to “use only the kind of language that the hiring manager would use with one of his customers.”
- Gallo, A. (2017, December 05). How to Write a Cover Letter. Retrieved June 15, 2020, from https://hbr.org/2014/02/how-to-write-a-cover-letter