Cover letter examples: How to stand out
Do you need cover letter examples? With graduation looming for some, the panic of updating your resume and cover letter for applications is starting to set in. It’s easy to disregard your cover letter and focus on your resume, however, recruiters and hiring managers will receive hundreds of applications at a time. Writing a killer cover letter is your chance to stand out and grab your potential employers’ attention straight away.
The public relations team at Adoni Media have collated their top tips for writing a cover letter.
What is a cover letter?
Think of a cover letter as a personal introduction to your resume. A potential employer will be looking for your knowledge of the business, your professional and personal skills and how you match the job description.
Adoni Media Managing Director, Leisa Goddard says it’s important to show off your personality alongside your professional characteristics in your cover letter.
“When reading cover letters, I always look for excellent written communication skills, attention to detail and the value you could bring to the team. Don’t be afraid to be creative when showing off your personality and your writing style.”
How to write a cover letter?
RESEARCH: First things first, make sure you do your research. Check out the businesses’ website and social media pages to gauge the company’s values and work environment. Not all applicants will make the effort to write a tailored and personalised cover letter, so this is your chance to make your mark. To avoid the popular introduction ‘to whom it may concern’, research the name and contact details of who you are addressing your resume to.
Leisa recommends going through the job advertisement or description and using keywords in your cover letter.
“I would highlight keywords used to describe the skills, training and experience the employer is looking for. Incorporate these in your cover letter to prove you fit the job description and show you have done your research.”
INTRODUCTION: Create a strong introduction to hook the reader in. You can do this by communicating your unique selling points upfront. These could include relevant industry know-how, strong skills or your experience and achievements.
BODY: Following your introduction, you need to highlight your key strengths and skills. Where possible, tell meaningful anecdotes from your past roles that match the skills in the job description.
DESIGN: A cover letter needs to be short, so no need to write more than one page. Make sure it is visually appealing and matches the visual design of your resume for consistency. It’s important to follow the proper cover letter template to make sure you include everything you need. Usually, contact information goes at the top of the page, and a call to action at the end.
Leisa believes it is also important to match a businesses’ tone of voice.
“If you are applying for a creative writing role, your cover letter should have a more casual, conversational tone to highlight your writing style. If you are applying for a corporate role, your tone should be more serious and professional.”
Extra tips:
- Keep it short and sweet
- Always proofread
- Show interest in the company
- Don’t include your whole resume in your cover letter
- Write in the first person.
