The vast majority of your cover letter should be focused on highlighting your experiences that relate to the specific role you are applying for. “Use the job description as a guideline for the functional “hot buttons” the company is looking for in a new hire” (Patrick Senn, CFS Minneapolis).
Engage the reader.
Cover letters are a place to showcase your knowledge, background, and skills. “You should include specific, tangible examples where you have saved time, money or generated revenue; make sure those examples tie in with one or more of the responsibilities listed in the job description as well” (Dale Fredericksen, CFS Oak Brook).
In addition, cover letters can be a way to show hiring managers who you are as a person. Feel free to include hobbies, volunteer opportunities or experiences that have shaped you as a person and explain how these experiences relate to the job you’re applying for.
Tell a story.
Hiring managers receive hundreds of cover letters each day. In order to make your application stand out, you need to grab the reader’s attention within the first few seconds. Sharing a story is a creative way to do so. After all, you have a limited amount of time to “wow” the hiring manager; a story can bring your experiences to life and will make your application memorable.
Customize it.
You want to tailor your cover letter. Tailor it to the organization and to the individual who will be reading it. “A one size fits all approach does not apply when it comes to writing a cover letter” (Senn, CFS Minneapolis). Companies want to see that you are truly excited about the position and about their company; they want to know that you took the extra time to personalize your letter.
Last but not least, proofread!
Have someone you trust read over your cover letter before submitting it. You want to ensure that it is error free and formatted properly. After all, grammatical errors and typos can hinder your chances of being selected for an interview.
Searching for a new job? Contact one of our expert recruiters today! Find the closest CFS location to you here.
Resume Writing Do's and Don'ts April 6, 2017 There are some general guidelines that should be followed if you want your resume to stand out from your competition. While some resume writing rules can be open to interpretation, there are others that almost every hiring manager will agree on. These are the do’s and don’ts of writing an…
4 Updates That Can Impact Your Resume May 2, 2019 Is your job search overwhelming you? Is your resume in need of revamping? Don’t worry, CFS has you covered! Check out these small but critical changes you can make to your resume today! Restructure The design and format of your resume matters. As you revamp your resume, focus on consistency…
Beware of These 5 Red Flags During Your Job Search October 25, 2018 Between reading hundreds of job descriptions, researching companies, and doing countless interviews, it’s easy to get overwhelmed during your job search. Keep an eye out for these 5 red flags though and you will find your dream job in no time. Company information is minimal or negative In this day…
How to Stand Out in Your Job Search September 30, 2016 As you blankly stare at your computer screen, you can’t help but ask yourself, “Am I really doing this again? Am I really applying for another job?” Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Despite countless applications, the only thing you have to show for your efforts is automatic email responses and…
Skills-First Hiring: Revolutionizing the Way We… June 22, 2023 Skills-first hiring is transforming the recruitment landscape and ensures a more inclusive hiring process. CFS is here to offer support, guidance, and resources.…
Common Misconceptions about Recruiters January 11, 2022 We recently sat down with Meag Ventura, Senior Managing Director of Executive Search in our Boston office, to debunk some common myths about using recruiters and working with staffing firms. Using a recruiter costs money From a candidate standpoint, using a reputable recruiting firm in your job search should NEVER…
