By: Sebastian Leung
A cover letter is one of the most important parts of any job application. It allows you to give the hiring manager a little taste of who you are, a personalized letter telling them why they should hire you.
So how do you write the perfect cover letter? Here are three quick and easy tips.
Don’t Regurgitate Your Resume
The whole purpose of the cover letter is to explain why you are a good fit for the company and why your experiences matter. They already have your resume, so there is no need to simply recite your past experiences.
Write Thoughtfully
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to write your letter in five minutes and then send it in. Don’t do this. Instead, do some research about the company and the position you’re applying for and include that in your letter. Write precisely, stating why you are the best candidate for the position. Also, do final edits before sending your letter in. Hemingway is a useful website that can help let you know if your sentences are too wordy or complex.
Stand Out From the Rest!
The best piece of advice is to simply stand out. Don’t write a generic cover letter, a boring, formatted paper. Instead, care less about the rules and care more about standing out to the hiring manager. Be creative! Write something memorable, something that will leave a lasting impression.
To view a template of a well-written cover letter, Macaulay’s booklet to writing resumes and cover letters can be found here.
Good luck with your job search!