9. Craft a Killer Cover Letter That Gets You NOTICED 📢
Remember that a cover letter is not just a rewritten version of your CV/resumé; instead, it's an expression of your interest in the role and the company. Your CV, in comparison, is a factual account of your career to date.
The benefit of a cover letter is that you've got much freedom to say what you want and explain any issues of concern, in other words. For example, you could use it to explain complex or unusual situations in your work or life, like the logical reasons why you've changed jobs so often or why there is a significant gap in your career. If you don't mention these things in the cover letter, the company might dismiss you as a potential candidate after jumping to false conclusions.
➡️ TODAY’S TASK (ESTIMATED TIME: 20-MINUTES)
Write out the general structure and key points for your cover letter
Here is a sample structure:
Introduction
What are the main responsibilities of the role that you’ve experienced?
What's unique about you?
What do you like about the job?
What attracts you to the company?
What sets you apart from others? (X-Factor)
Summary and sign-off
Starting off, it's worth reviewing the job description and highlighting some key points to refer to in the letter. Are there any company achievements they've noted? What sort of company culture do they have? What type of person do they need? What skills and experience do they want? What are their core values?
It would also help to highlight how you're a good fit for the role and the company. Even if the reasons seem obvious to you, take the time to join the dots for the employer and tell them why they should interview you.
Remember that after reviewing 10s or 100s of applications, sometimes even the most diligent hiring manager can miss important details. It's your job to make them unmissable! Even if you think nobody will ever read your letter, it's still worth writing carefully because it prepares you for the standard interview questions or the initial phone-screening calls that most companies do these days.
00:00 Introduction to Cover Letters
00:14 Why Write a Cover Letter?
00:46 Structuring Your Cover Letter
00:49 Tailoring Your Cover Letter
01:01 Highlighting Key Responsibilities
01:10 Showcasing Your Fit for the Role
01:24 Expressing Interest in the Company
01:51 Discussing Job Responsibilities
02:16 Your Unique X Factor
02:53 Summary of Cover Letter Points
03:03 Conclusion
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