Let’s face it , a blanket cover letter just
isn’t going to cut it these days . So how
can you make the best use of your
time while maximizing your results ?
Here are a few simple steps to
customizing your cover letters. (And if
you don’ t think you SHOULD
customize your cover letter for each
application you submit , then we have
bigger problems than I thought …)
A MEMORABLE OPENER
Here’s a mistake I see more and more
job seekers making : the opening line
on their cover letter reads, “ Please
accept this in response to the
(position) advertised on month day ,
year …” What ’s wrong with this kind of
opening line ? Everyone uses it. The
point of your job search is to stand
out from the crowd —not get lost in
the midst of it . Instead, try using
something similar to your branding
statement. You can easily tweak your
branding statement to be a
customized opening line .
For example: With more than 10 years
of profit - driven project management
expertise …
What’ s different about this opening
line ? I ’m already addressing the
company ’s need for a bottom -line -
driven project manager ; sharing my
years of experience ; and hitting the
job title on the dot . That ’s three big
points you’ ve scored in the first line
alone.
FACTS THAT SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS
After you’ ve written your opening lines
(which express your interest in the
position and introduce you to the
prospective employer) immediately
jump into how you can meet the
organization’ s needs based on the
requirements the company posted in
its online ad or job description.
“I see you are interested in hiring
someone with strategic -change
management experience .” (Or
whatever the key requirement of the
position is —highlight it here). Then
tell—or even better , SHOW— the
reader why you have that experience :
“In my present role with ABC
Distributors, I did XYZ , which resulted
in JKL .” Showing the potential
employer—right off the bat —that you
possess a desired attribute or
requirement for the position will
prompt the hiring manager to invest
more time in reading your resume. If
your cover letter states—in so many
words—“ I am the perfect match for
your opening , and I can meet /exceed
your needs …” then you immediately
get my attention , and I ’m more likely
to invest time in reviewing your
resume. Here ’s a tip: do not use bullet
points or material word -for -word
from your resume; provide the hiring
manager with fresh information on
your cover letter.
DETAILS ARE IMPORTANT
Here are a few small details to
remember when crafting a cover letter
to fit a specific opening:
-Make sure that your cover letter
heading matches your resume’s .
-Include your branding statement with
your header at the top of your cover
letter. It enforces your brand and
provides a polished touch.
-Include a quote from a former
employer if relevant and hard- hitting.
This is a great way to “ sell” what
you’re capable of accomplishing for an
organization. If the prospective
employer has a specific requirement
in its job ad —and you’ ve already done
that somewhere else and have a great
recommendation or quote from a
previous supervisor to back it up—
WOW !! There really isn ’t any better
sales/ marketing material than that.
Not much can beat a quote about
your results .
CLOSE WITH CONTACT
Always offer at the close of your letter
to follow up with the employer/hiring
manager via phone, e -mail, snail mail,
whatever … within a specific time
frame ( be it one week or two or
whenever). Also, be sure to include
your contact information so they can
reach out to you. Keep the closing
professional, polished , and concise.
You don’ t want to appear desperate
or unprofessional.
Source:dailycareerconnection.com/how-to-make-your-cover-letter-a-perfect-fit-for-any-opening?
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