Top Cover Letter Tips To Use in This Year

A solid cover letter to an employer can impact the success of your job search. In that vein, paying attention to cover letter tips and considering cover letter examples (such as those found on ResumeHelp’s website) can be incredibly helpful. When you deploy the right tips, you’ll have a better shot of writing the right cover letter for your job search and improve your chances of getting invited in for a job interview.

While every cover letter is as different as the resume it is attached to, there are some common cover letter writing tips that can help job seekers ensure that they’re putting their best foot forward. If you want to write a professional cover letter, consider the following:

1. Research the company

When you are writing a cover letter to support your job search, make sure to research the company that posted the job listing you are interested in. Talk about why you want to work for them specifically in your opening paragraph (and make sure to introduce yourself using your full name). You can find the information on the company website to help you get an idea of the company culture.

2. Tailor each cover letter for the job application

You can write a generic cover letter as a base, but you should edit this before each job application to make sure it represents your skill set in a way that is best suited to the job description. You should also use the hiring manager’s name in the salutation if you have that information.

3. Be specific 

Consider the job posting and try to be specific about what makes you the best candidate to fill the role. Provide percentages and statistics if you can. If you can’t, then be specific about the ways in which you can benefit the company.

4. Supplement your resume

You should not repeat the information in your resume bullet points and summary, but instead supplement the information from your resume. Think about your past experiences, hobbies and your achievements. Mention what is relevant to the job you are applying for to strengthen your qualifications.

5. Ensure aesthetic continuity

Make sure your cover letter format has the same aesthetic as your resume template. Use the same font, font size and margin size in the body of your cover letter, and make sure the header is the same for both documents.

These general cover letter tips will help you represent your work experience and qualifications properly, but if you want to stand the best possible chance of getting a new job, you should home in on the details. These final adjustments are best undertaken when you begin a new job search to make sure you tailor your cover letter to meet the job description:

• Update the salutation

Try to avoid using “Dear Hiring Manager” and never use “To Whom It May Concern.” Instead, try to address the recruiter by name.

• Update your contact information and the letter header

Ensure that your phone number, email address and social media details (like your LinkedIn profile) are up to date, and make sure you have the right date at the top of the letter. 

• Review the skills and qualifications you mention

Make sure that you are still mentioning the right skills for the job description, and don’t be afraid to swap out skills and qualifications that are not quite right.
If you make sure your cover letter details are up to date before each job application, you will certainly increase your chances of writing a good cover letter and making a strong first impression on human resources.

As well as the right content, your cover letter needs to be well formatted, balanced and structured. This means putting introductory information in the first paragraph, making the argument as to why you are a good candidate in the second paragraph (and perhaps the third). Create a call to action in your final paragraph. This will create an effective argument that invites follow-up contact from a hiring manager.

Before you send your cover letter you should proofread and use spell check to make sure there are no typos. Also, ensure your font and margin sizing are consistent. If you do this, you will have a good chance of communicating effectively with recruiters and hiring managers.