Best Practices for resume and cover letter writing

Best Practices for resume and cover letter writing for India : 6 Steps Tutorial

arunpandit April 28, 2020 Articles, Tutorials & Tips Leave a comment 4,398 Views

Best Practices for resume and cover letter writing Section 3:

Guidelines for writing an effective cover letter

What is a cover letter ?

A cover letter is a letter of introduction that accompanies a resume. Though cover letters are not required as frequently today as they once were, when one is requested, it gives the applicant a chance to explain their goals and show the hiring manager who they really are. It also creates a good impression and highlight you among the other CVs without a cover letter if done right.

A cover letter explains who you are, lists major accomplishments, and tells the hiring manager what you hope to bring to the company if hired.

A cover letter is a 250 – 400 word document that convinces the hiring manager of your competence.
A cover letter goes in your job application alongside your resume.
Your introduction to the cover letter should grab the hiring manager’s attention and keep it all the way until the conclusion.
There are 2 main topics you need to include in your cover letter: why you’re the perfect candidate ( What can you offer ) for the job & why you’re passionate about working in the company you’re applying to ( research about the Company ).
Most of the content of your cover letter should be factual, without any fluff or generalizations.

COVER LETTER TIPS

If emailing your cover letter, be thoughtful in your subject line. Never leave the subject line blank and double-check for specific instructions in the job posting. If possible, use it to sell yourself. Ex: “Experienced Software Engineer Seeks Senior Level Mobile Position.”
Keep your cover letter short and to the point. The hiring manager will be reading lots of cover letters. Make yours stand out with as little text as possible.
Be confident. Let the hiring manager know the reasons why you deserve this position and make yourself believe them too!
Don’t simply rephrase your resume. Let your personality show and go into further detail about your most valuable skills and experiences.
Do your research before writing the cover letter. It should be customized to that specific company’s values and needs. Hiring managers can spot a generic resume from a mile away.
Use the job posting as your guide for what topics to focus on.
Include keywords from the job posting. Applicant tracking systems may scan your cover letter along with your resume.
Check for spelling and grammar errors.
Send your cover letter as a PDF to avoid readability issues.