Writing a Compelling Cover Letter to Make You Sound More Human

Few people in the world today understand the importance of writing a compelling cover letter. Many assume that a cover letter is only a redundant document repeating what has already been said by the resume. Unbeknownst to them, the cover letter subtly or otherwise reveals certain aspects about the job seeker that are not apparent from the resume. It, therefore, behooves any serious job seeker to make an effort to write a compelling cover letter that exudes some personality and that is engaging enough. Here is how:

courtesy of C.Lavery unsplash.com

1. Show ExcitementIf your cover letter doesn’t reveal that you are super excited to take up the vacancy, or if it looks like you deem the new opportunity as some drudgery and a ‘necessary evil’, then more than likely your ‘precious’ write up is going to end up in the bin or in the shredder. No employer likes entrusting pivotal online resume writing services to dispirited and unmotivated employees.
   You have to show why you’d prefer this particular job with this particular company over other jobs and other companies out there. It has to be clear right off the bat that you intend to and can excel in your would-be occupation.
2. It is not a summary of your resumeMany folks make the fatal mistake of assuming that the cover letter is a truncated version of the resume. It isn’t true. What you need to know is that you should try as much as possible to include in the cover letter new information that isn’t on the resume- for example, you could briefly and amusedly speak about your work habits, personal traits, reason for interest in the job opening, or a reference to feedback from a former manager, etc.
3. Give vanity a wide berthIt is funny how naïve some job seekers can be. For instance, some make anecdotal statements such as ‘you will not find a job candidate better qualified than me.’ Such statements are both ignorant and arrogant, and, in most cases, they only help the recruiter put on a contemptuous sneer before pushing aside your documents. You don’t know if you really are better qualified than the rest; therefore, leave the determination of that to the hiring manager. Read your cover letter again before sending to ensure it doesn’t sound like some infomercial.
4. PersonalityThere is a myth out there that a cover letter should be formal. Granted, there is nothing wrong with a formal cover letter; however, the best cover letters out there are warm, friendly, and conversational. They are engaging and sometimes humorous. But don’t be overly casual. As a rule of thumb, give slang a wide berth, and take care that your grammar and spelling is alright. There aren’t hard and fast dictates about writing a cover letter – just be yourself and let your personality show.
5. Discard the ‘canned’ cover letterYou should write a fresh, unique cover letter for every job application. Just resist the temptation to use one cover letter for every application you make. Recruiters often possess a knack of telling out a ‘canned’ cover letter from a letter specifically written for the specific job.
6. What to do if overqualifiedPeople assume that the only impediment to landing their desired job is being underqualified. The truth is that being overqualified is just as much an obstacle as being underqualified. First off, employers are likely to think that overqualified applicants may not be enthusiastic about the job position; therefore, it is imperative you mention your qualifications and assure them that you are still comfortable and enthusiastic about the job you are applying for.

Once you do all these, you are likely to land that plum job you are eyeing. There is no doubt about that.

#cover letter #writing

Share