Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out

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Cover letters are your first real chance to engage prospective employers. There’s a reason that most employers request one in addition to an applicant’s resume. It’s because – when compared to a resume or CV – a cover letter helps answer the question that is at the forefront of a hiring manager’s mind: “Why do you want this job?”

The problem with cover letters is that they are generally pretty open to interpretation. Most cover letters are structured to give you the chance to introduce yourself, note what job you are interested in and why you believe yourself to be a qualified candidate. However, amidst the hundreds of resumes and cover letters that employers receive, applicants’ cover letters, particularly form letters without any sort of personalization or personality, tend to blur together. If you are really interested in a particular company or position, then you should strive to make sure your cover letter – your introduction – really stands out amongst the crowd.

Here are a few tips from All-Star Personnel to help your cover letter achieve just that.

Start With a Hook

You want to say something that grabs the reader’s attention right at the beginning of your letter. If you wait until the third paragraph to say anything interesting, then in all likelihood you have already lost your reader. A good hook can be a statement of why this job is the perfect opportunity for your skill set and experience, or it can be something personalizing and memorable. The point of a hook is to entice readers to consider you, right from the get go. If you know you have a hiring manager’s attention, you give yourself the chance to shine further on down the hiring process.

Highlight Accomplishments

Don’t waste your cover letter by simply restating information that is included in your resume. Tell the story of what a great and accomplished employee you are. Pick one particularly relevant project or accomplishment to highlight in your resume and be specific about how the experience has prepared you for the position you are applying for. It’s really important to remember your audience when you are writing a cover letter, and do everything you can to tell the employer how you meet their needs as an applicant.

Share Your Knowledge

Many people make the mistake of not doing their research until the interview stage of the hiring process. Employers want to hire people who are excited by the thought of working for them. Show them that you have targeted their company as the next step in your career by researching the company’s mission, their recent projects, or even their mentions in the news. You’ll put yourself ahead of the competition by customizing your cover letter for a specific position and company, proving that you are committed to this opportunity.

Share Your Passion

Cover letters are notoriously dry and formal. While making sure that your professionalism shines through, it’s not a bad thing to let your personality shine through as well. People hire people they like and want to work with. It’s a good opportunity to reassure hiring managers that you are a friendly and engaged employee through a personalized cover letter.

At All-Star Personnel, we specialize in light industrial and industrial markets where demand is steady in both manufacturing and distribution. Contact us today to work with a top staffing agency in Tennessee!

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