Writer and career coach Jenny Foss discusses the importance of cover letters in the job application process and provides essential tips for creating an effective one. She emphasizes the fierce competition in various career fields and highlights the potential of a well-crafted cover letter to sway a recruiter or hiring manager in favor of the candidate.
Choose the right salutation: Avoid generic salutations like “To Whom It May Concern” and address the cover letter directly to the hiring manager or recruiter. The article suggests using LinkedIn to identify the relevant person.
Convey your interest and value: Tailor the cover letter to showcase specific reasons for applying to the organization, such as a love for their mission, products, or reputation as a great place to work. Clearly outline the unique value you can bring to the role, using the job description as a guide.
Finish strong: Instead of generic closing statements, summarize why you are an excellent candidate and express eagerness to discuss your qualifications further. This helps leave a lasting impression and encourages the hiring manager to consider the applicant seriously.
It is also strongly encouraged to represent authenticity in your writing, emphasizing that honest and genuine writing goes further than following career guide formats strictly. Jenny suggests that appropriate rules can be bent in order to make a lasting impression and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Full article written by Jenny Foss can be found here.