After writing a resume, the next step in applying for a job is to write a cover letter for that job. Employers are looking for someone who can perform the job well, and who fits their company culture. So as a job seeker, you need to make sure that recruiters see you as a competitive candidate just from their brief review of your resume and cover letter.
Often, people make one generic cover letter and use it for all positions they apply for. As a result, recruiters are getting tired of reading the same messages from thousands of applicants. So how can you, as a jobseeker, stand out from the crowd and gather attention from recruiters with 2 pieces of paper?
There are numerous tips on how to construct an effective resume, but it can only cover a limited amount of information. A cover letter is a place you can really highlight your experience, skill, and personality. It takes time, energy and research to write a compelling cover letter but it is a critical part of your job application. In this article, we will introduce 2 ways to write a killer cover letter.
- Customize
It takes time, but it is very important to customize your cover letter for each position you apply for. Carefully read the job description, and tell how your skills and past experiences match with the position, how you’re planning to do well in the job and why. Use bullet points to make it easy to read. If you can say in a simple compelling way what makes you an original, well-qualified candidate, they will want to contact you. - Write a Pain Letter
Imagine, there are tons of applicants competing against you. So how can you stick out from the crowd? The answer is to write a Pain Letter. A Pain Letter is a letter to a hiring manager showing your skills and qualification to a position through defining some of the problems or business pains the company has, and provide your own solutions. Take time to research what the company does, what problems they are solving, and possible obstacles for them to achieve their goals. After defining their business pains, use your past experience and creativity to come up with your own solutions.You can send this electronically through an online application page or personal email it to the hiring manager, or to really set yourself apart, you can hand mail it directly to the hiring manager at his/her office. By writing a pain letter, you can showcase your passion, analytical skill and problem-solving skills. If you’d like to read more about pain letter, go to Forbes.
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