Companies and recruiting agencies can get thousands of responses to job openings. Under such circumstances, they will be able to give each letter a few moments to get the gist of the candidate’s proficiency, qualification, and experience before moving on to the next one. If you are making a serious bid for that job, your cover letter must have that unique element to hold the recruiter’s attention and make them go through the entire content.
How do I make my cover letter stand out?
Making your cover letter noticeable requires skill and creativity. Some types of customization such as a motto, creative catchphrase, or a unique title can help you get noticed. There is no doubt that they are not to be used as a rule and are entirely optional. Yet, it is necessary to give these elements a try just to make your letter look exceptional and different from others.
Where should you put your creative bits?
The creative tag can figure at the top of the letter so that they can catch attention immediately. It should not be mere words but must reflect your value to the organization. You can visit the website of the company to get an idea of how you can word your slogan to sync them with the company’s objective. If the job is for a school teacher, for instance, the slogan should reflect something about caring for students or helping them learn better. Similarly, a candidate for a marketing position can have a slogan that talks about dealing with challenges, creating more closures and meeting obstacles head-on.
What about testimonials and cover letters?
Testimonials are another way of getting your cover letter to be different than that of others. Testimonials can be in the form of lines from recommendation letters, vendor appreciation notes, and by way of performance evaluations, memos issued to staff, or other types of acclamations. When compiled creatively, they can create a powerful impact on your recruiter or interviewer. It can send a clear message to the company that they can do better by getting you on their side.
Should you include goals and objectives?
If you want to make a statement about goals and objectives in your cover letter, make sure they are specific to the opening or your professional objectives. It should be able to convince the employer about your commitment and the difference it can make to your potential employers. It must amply reflect the value that your skills and talent will bring to the company.
Bottom line:
Cover letters are serious business and can be a game-changer in a situation where competition for a particular opening is tough and the talent pool available is more or less of the same standards. A well-written cover letter can help you get that winning edge over others and help you land that coveted job. Just remember to incorporate the above-stated elements effectively and judiciously.
Author: John Dough is a master’s level career counselor and an internationally certified as a Career Management Practitioner (CMP) by the Institute for Career Certification International. Click here for cover letter examples to further help develop your cover letter writing.
