Picture the scene: you’re submitting well-structured cover letters, you’re applying for plenty of jobs, but you’re not getting over the line to any job interviews. Perhaps your cover letters need a refresh. We’ve crafted a series of tips to improve your cover letters, and the best part is, they can be put into place in double-quick time.
1. Proofread a printed copy
Make sure you go one step further when proofreading your cover letter—instead of just reading it on the screen, take a minute to look over a printed copy, too. Studies show that prolonged use of screens can cause eye strain, so you might find it easier to spot errors if you proofread a printed copy.
Print your cover letter in a font which you can read clearly. Try a font with similar character widths and avoid quirkier fonts. Then, go over the printout with a pen and make any edits. By doing this, you’ll make sure you haven’t missed any nightmarish typos.
Remember, an error-strewn letter won’t show how much you want the job.
2. Craft an attention-grabbing first sentence
Recruiters look at a lot of cover letters. To really impress, make another speedy edit and write an attention-grabbing first sentence.
As ever, look at the job description and take a minute to tailor your opening sentence so it reflects what the recruiter is looking for. Here, pick out the most commonly mentioned skills and reference these. By displaying your traits and abilities relevant to the application in the first line, the recruiter is more likely to read on as you’ll seem like a good fit for the role.
An attention-grabbing first line should be the only way to start your cover letter. Promise us you’ll never begin with “My name is…” or state your name in the first sentence—it’s extremely unprofessional. Your name should go after your sign-off. Use the first sentence to captivate the recruiter, instead.
3. Repeat a phrase from the job advert
One other quick tip is to incorporate a phrase from the job description in your cover letter. By doing this, you tell the recruiter that you’ve read the advert thoroughly, and show them that you’re a strong applicant.
So, if the company asks for a candidate who can “hit the ground running”, that’s what you should write in your cover letter—word-for-word. To put this technique into practise, you could write “I hit the ground running in my first six months and implemented new training procedures”.
This is one of the smartest cover letter hacks because you’ll hone in on how you can take note of details and give the company what it wants. Remember, the job advert is there to help you, so make sure you take advantage of this.
4. Show your skills rather than tell them
Showing your skills rather than telling them is another quick tweak to help improve your cover letter. When using this, you should recount specific scenarios in which you used your skills so the recruiter has proof of your abilities.
For instance, writing something along the lines of “I developed my communication skills when conducting appraisal interviews” provides the recruiter with validation of your abilities. Recounting an event shows the recruiter how and where you used a skill, which is much more credible than telling them “I have communication skills”.
Stay concise when using this technique, though. Although you’re telling a story of what happened, remember this is a cover letter, not a novel.
5. Discuss a news story about the company
Discussing a news story about the company in your cover letter will also help you. You can find an article in the media in no time, and reinforcing your knowledge of the company through your cover letter will give you a head start over the competition.
We advise taking care of which story you expand on. If you want to write about how the company’s charity work has been praised, that gets the thumbs-up. However, avoid touching on any negative media coverage. Also, make sure you don’t interrupt the flow of your cover letter when referencing a news story—weave it in at a suitable point.
6. Include links to your work to prove your expertise
In today’s digital world, it’s quick and simple to promote any online work you might have. You should add this to your cover letter, too.
Include a link to any work you’ve done at the end of your letter. Alternatively, if you mention anything you can link to within the bulk of your letter, embed the link over three or four words of relevant text.
By featuring a link, you provide indications of your expertise, making you stand out further.
7. Tell the recruiter what you’d discuss in the interview
Use the final sentence of your cover letter to reveal what you’d talk about during the interview. This is just as quick as ending with something standard such as “please see my resume attached”, except you’ll capture the recruiter’s interest with how serious you are about progressing your application.
You should write about what makes the role interesting to you in the bulk of your cover letter, but expand on this in your last line. State you’d look forward to discussing this topic if you reach the interview stage.
However, remember this is only a potential interview—be confident, not cocky. By using this tip, you’ll finish on a warm note and bring up an area of conversation for any future interview.
Keep in mind all of our pointers can be put into play quickly and easily. So, plan your letter, implement our hacks, and you’ll craft a cover letter employers will love.
