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Whenever you apply for a job position through a job search board or a company’s career site, it is highly recommended to include a cover letter. This will effectively communicate the alignment between your skillset, experience, and the job opportunity to the hiring manager.
A cover letter provides an opportunity to showcase your professional skills and experiences, highlighting why you are a suitable candidate for the job. The way you craft and deliver the cover letter speaks volumes about you. To create an impressive cover letter that captivates prospective employers, consider the following essential tips:
Introductory Paragraph
Start your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager directly. Ideally, find their name in the job ad or contact the HR department for it. If unable to find the name, address the letter to “Dear Hiring Manager for [name of position].” This shows personalized effort. Begin by clearly stating the job position and then highlight the specific skills and experiences that make you the ideal candidate for that role. Proofread the content to eliminate any typos, grammatical errors, or other mistakes.
Main Body Paragraph
Next, you will write the body paragraph, which serves as the core of your cover letter. Here, you will demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job position. Highlight specific skills that align with the job requirements and showcase relevant experiences that support your suitability for the role. When applicable, refer to
Closing Paragraph
In the final paragraph, express your continued enthusiasm for the job and convey your anticipation for an interview. Reiterate your interest and provide your contact details to facilitate communication with the employer. Conclude the letter by expressing gratitude to the hiring manager for their time and consideration. Proofread the content meticulously to rectify any typos, grammatical errors, or other mistakes. Your attention to detail ensures a polished and professional cover letter.
Don’t Make These Mistakes
- Spelling errors – Your cover letter should be free of all spelling errors or grammatical errors. Proofread your cover letter or use a product like Grammarly.com.
- Lack of Follow-up – Don’t leave the letter “open-ended”. Indicate that you will follow up in two weeks.
- Summary of
Your Resume – To cut and paste fromyour resume or restate what is already included inyour resume . Your cover letter should be a stand-alone document. - Form Letter Format – Your cover letter should be specific to the opportunity and not a form letter. It should specifically mention the job title and mention skills that are aligned with the job opportunity
- Research the company before writing your letter (take a look at Company Research). Find out as much as you can about the company and the job position. Research the hiring manager via LinkedIn. Your cover letter should show that you are familiar with the company.
- Never send the same cover letter for every job posting.
- Never send a cover letter in an email format. Always send the letter in a high-quality paper to suggest a professional attitude (also take a look at Knock ’em Dead Cover Letters: Cover letter samples and strategies you need to get the job you want).
Gear You Need for Your Resume and Cover Letters
Okay, you are ready to find your job, but do you have everything you need? Not sure that you have everything, take a look at the following links.
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Resume Paper
Here are our favorites
| Type of Resume Paper | Weight | Color | Description | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton Resume Paper | 24lbs | Ivory | This stationery has a rich texture and distinctive crispness that set it apart from ordinary printer paper or copy paper. Endorsed by the National Résumé Writer’s Association | "I used this paper for my resume at a college career fair, and I'd say that it impressed especially considering that most college kids were printing their resumes on normal printer paper." |
| Linen Resume paper | 32lbs | Ivory | This stationery has a rich linen paper texture and distinctive crispness that set it apart from ordinary printer paper or copy paper. | "This is an amazing textured resume! It's a very light cream color. Not too thick or too thin (not transparent). Ink adheres fine and it looks and feels great with the linen texture. |
| Cotton Business Paper | 32lbs | Ivory | Using this 25% Cotton Linen Business Paper, in creamy linen ivory, means you’re on your way to making a lasting impression. | To be honest I never imagined I would get this excited over paper. I was just looking for some good quality papers for formal matters, and these are some very beautiful sheets I’ve stumbled upon here on Amazon |
| Business Cotton | 24lbs | White | This premium 24 lb. paper is great for proposals, resumes and reports or for any document where quality matter. | "This paper really is great. It has a very nice weight to it and is extremely professional looking. I found that it was just enough to be nicer than normal paper, but not so fancy as to be off putting. I do recommend it." |
| Parchment Specialty Paper | 24lbs | Grey | This quality textured paper is free of acid and lignin, so your documents can stand the test of time and stand out with the distinguished, distinctive look of parchment. | "I love this brand of parchment paper for creating certificates, it's great quality, prints well, the price is better than what you pay in a retail store and because I buy in bulk, they last a long time!" |
| Cream Linen Paper | 28lbs | Cream | This letterhead paper is made from a 28b bond Cream linen textured paper stock. ream Linen Paper & Envelopes combo pack makes it easy & simple to create professional resumes. | "A very nice stationery set -- no frills (which is what I wanted). The color and texture of the paper are elegant. " |
Gear for Your Job Search
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