A resume without a cover letter may get disposed of without a glance. An employer may prefer applicants that take the extra time to add a cover letter. Writing a cover letter gives you a chance to show your personality and sell yourself to the hiring managers. Recruiters may assume that applicants with cover letters care more about the job than applicants that simply send a resume through a hiring portal. Take the time to personally address the hiring manager and tell them how you can make their company better.

1. Address it Properly

Do your research before composing a cover letter. Find out the name of the hiring manager of the head of the department you want to work in. You can often find this information by calling the company, looking on LinkedIn, or conducting a Google search. If you can’t find the name of the person in charge, address your cover letter to the department to which you plan to apply. Try to avoid using the generic greeting “To Whom It May Concern”.

2. Don’t Copy Your Resume

No one wants to read a summary of your resume. Use your cover letter to share why you want the job and how you can benefit the company. Make sure you understand the job requirements and expectations before you write your cover letter so you can mention skills relevant to the position. The recruiter can easily read through your resume to find out about your job experience. Use your cover letter to explain other skills or personality traits that make you unique. Look at cover letter examples and resume examples online to help with ideas.

3. Let Your Personality Show

While you should use a professional tone in your cover letter, you can still let your personality show in your writing. You can start your cover letter with a short introduction. Mention your name, current career, and work ethic. You can also talk about why you want to work for this particular company or department. Show how your personality can become an asset to the company. Leave out personal details and focus on how you can make the company better or help with specific projects. Research the company before you write your cover letter to find out if you have personal interests that are relevant to the company’s goals. If the company values sustainability, for example, talk about your volunteer hours at the local park.

4. Focus on Solutions

Businesses hire employees that can benefit their daily activities and long-term goals. You can use your cover letter to help a potential employer get to know you, however, you also need to focus on the solution they are looking for. Learn as much as you can about the position you apply for and write a cover letter outlining how you can serve them best.

A recruiter may never read a resume if the cover letter does not interest them. Take your time thinking about how you can become an asset to the company and tell them about it. Hiring managers also want to know who you are, however. The best cover letters answer questions about your personality, work ethic, and ability to reach company goals.

Writing and Designing a Resume