Your cover letter serves as an initial introduction to a potential employer and can greatly influence their first impression of you. It can make or break your chances of getting an interview, so it’s important to put your best foot forward. In this blog post, we’ll go over some dos and don’ts of cover letter writing, as well as best practices and techniques for creating an effective and winning cover letter.
Dos of Cover Letter Writing:
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Research the Company:
Conducting research on the company you’re interested in before crafting your cover letter can help you tailor your message and show your knowledge of their values, mission, and goals. This will help you tailor your letter to the company’s needs and show that you’re interested in the job.
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Address the Hiring Manager:
Whenever possible, it’s recommended to address your cover letter to the hiring manager by their name. This will show that you’ve done your research and are interested in the specific job.
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Use a Professional Tone:
Your cover letter should be professional in tone and style. Avoid using slang, contractions, or overly casual language.
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Highlight Your Relevant Experience:
Your cover letter should highlight your relevant experience and skills for the job. It’s essential to demonstrate in your cover letter how your specific experience and skills can add value to the company, showcasing how you can contribute to achieving its goals and objectives.
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Match Your Resume:
Your cover letter should complement your resume, not duplicate it. Use your cover letter to expand on your resume and provide more details about your skills and experience.
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Use Keywords:
Use keywords from the job description in your cover letter. This will show that you’re a good match for the job and help your application get noticed by applicant tracking systems.
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Keep it Concise:
It is recommended to keep your cover letter concise and limit it to a single page.
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Proofread:
Proofread your cover letter for spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can have a negative impact and leave a poor impression.
Don’ts of Cover Letter Writing:
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Don’t be Generic:
Avoid using a generic cover letter for all your job applications. Crafting a custom cover letter that specifically addresses the requirements and values of the job and company can greatly increase your chances of standing out to potential employers.
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Don’t Repeat Your Resume:
Your cover letter should not simply repeat your resume. Use it to provide more details and context about your experience and skills.
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Don’t Use Jargon:
Avoid using industry-specific jargon or acronyms that the hiring manager may not understand.
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Don’t Include Irrelevant Information:
Your cover letter should focus on your relevant experience and skills for the job. Don’t include irrelevant information that may distract from your qualifications.
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Don’t Address Weaknesses:
Your cover letter is not the place to address any weaknesses or shortcomings in your experience. Rather than emphasizing what you want from the job, it’s important to highlight your strengths and how they can contribute to the success of the company.
Best Cover Letter Practices:
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Customize Your Cover Letter:
Customize your cover letter for the specific job and company. Demonstrating your genuine interest in the job and showcasing your thorough research can be achieved by crafting a well-crafted cover letter.
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Use a Professional Format:
Use a professional format for your cover letter, including a header with your name and contact information, the hiring manager’s name and contact information, and a clear and concise body.
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Tell a Story:
Use your cover letter to tell a story about your experience and how it relates to the job. This will help the hiring manager remember you and your qualifications.
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Use Bullet Points:
Use bullet points to highlight your relevant experience and skills. This will make it easier for the hiring manager to skim your cover letter and quickly understand your qualifications.
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Show Enthusiasm:
Show enthusiasm for the job and the company in your cover letter. This will make you stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested in the job.
Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid:
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Spelling and Grammar Errors:
Spelling and grammar errors can make a bad impression and make it seem like you’re not detail-oriented.
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Generic Cover Letters:
Using a generic cover letter can make it seem like you’re not genuinely interested in the job or the company. Take the time to customize your cover letter for each job application.
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Addressing the Wrong Person:
Make sure you address your cover letter to the right person. Addressing it to the wrong person can show that you’re not detail-oriented or didn’t do your research.
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Focusing on Yourself Rather Than the Company:
Your cover letter should focus on how your experience and skills can benefit the company, not just on what you want from the job.
Being Too Informal:
Your cover letter should be professional in tone and style. It’s important to steer clear of informal language or slang in your cover letter to maintain a professional tone.
Dos and Don’ts of Cover Letter:
Dos:
- Research the company
- Address the hiring manager
- Use a professional tone
- Highlight your relevant experience
- Match your resume
- Use keywords
- Keep it concise
- Proofread
Don’ts:
- Be generic
- Repeat your resume
- Use jargon
- Include irrelevant information
- Address weaknesses
- Use a one-size-fits-all approach
Effective Cover Letter Techniques:
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Use a Hook:
Start your cover letter with a hook that grabs the reader’s attention. This could be a personal story, a relevant quote, or an interesting fact about the company.
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Address the Hiring Manager’s Needs:
Show the hiring manager that you understand their needs and how you can help them. This will demonstrate that you’re a good fit for the job.
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Provide Examples:
Use specific examples to illustrate your experience and skills. This will make your cover letter more memorable and show that you have the qualifications for the job.
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Show Passion:
Show your passion for the job and the company. This will make you stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested in the job.
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Ask for an Interview:
Conclude your cover letter by expressing your interest in discussing your qualifications further and requesting the opportunity to meet with the hiring manager in person. This will show that you’re confident and ready to move forward in the application process.
Winning Cover Letter Format:
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Header:
Include your name, address, phone number, and email address.
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Date:
Include the date of your application.
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Hiring Manager’s Name and Address:
Address your cover letter to the hiring manager by name, if possible.
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Introduction:
Start with a hook that grabs the reader’s attention and introduces yourself.
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Body:
Use the body of your cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for the job.
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Conclusion:
End your cover letter by asking for an interview and thanking the hiring manager for their time.
Meta Tags:
When optimizing your cover letter for online applications, it’s important to use relevant meta tags to help your cover letter get noticed by applicant tracking systems. Some important meta tags to include are:
- Job Title
- Company Name
- Keywords from the Job Description
- Your Name
Conclusion
In conclusion, writing a winning cover letter requires research, customization, and attention to detail. You can also take advantage of free job-hire posting sites in UAE to increase your chances of landing your dream job. By following these dos and don’ts of cover letter writing, best practices, and effective techniques, you can create a cover letter that stands out from the competition. Remember to keep it professional, concise, and focused on how your experience can benefit the company.