I never write generic cover letters, and I never will!
Frankly, they don’t do anything for you. I don’t want you spending money on me as a resume writer and coach for something that won’t help you land a job.
What is the purpose of cover letters anyway? Merriam-Webster defines it this way:
“A letter that is sent with something to explain the reason for it or to give more information about it.”
So, how can you write a strategic cover letter that will get you noticed? There are 3 things to think about for cover letters:
1) Look at the keywords in the job posting itself.
To simplify – the verbs are what you can do, the nouns are what you know. You want the cover letter to tie back to the keywords in the job description that define what the job will be. Think about your relevant experience and how it applies.
2) What is the role compared to the job?
The job is the nuts and bolts of what you will be doing every day. If you are a sales manager, you have to make sure your team has good product knowledge, can build a pipeline, and most importantly, can close the sale. But your overall role is to develop a team that brings in revenue and adds to the company’s profitability and growth.
3) What do you think the hiring criteria will be?
What do you think the hiring manager will consider when deciding whether to hire you or someone else? Your technical skills? Your industry experience? Your past experience in a similar job? You need to address these criteria to really get someone’s attention.
So, be strategic! Don’t just restate what is already in your resume. Think about the job, the role, and how you will meet the hiring criteria. Then, you can create a cover letter that actually means something and will get you noticed.
I have been helping people get jobs for 20 years, first as a recruiter, now as a resume writer and coach. If you will be applying for a job and need a unique cover letter, you can book a time here to discuss your situation. There is NO CHARGE for a consultation, so contact me today, and let’s get you noticed on page one!