Gauri Chhabra
Help! The internet swallowed my resume! How often have we told ourselves this?We keep on sending resumes day in and day out only to lose them somewhere in the clutter, so much so that we ask ourselves- Do hiring professionals even read cover letters for senior candidates anymore? The answer is – yes, they do ONLY if we have cared to make the cover letter stand apart from the ocean of letters that swim in and out of their inbox every day.
For that to happen, cover letters have to be specifically tailored for the job you are applying for. Generic cover letters are never a good idea. A cover letter should complement, not duplicate, your resume. Its purpose is to encapsulate the data-oriented, factual resume and add a personal touch, your earliest written contact with a potential employer, creating a critical first impression.
Dear ….?
The salutation is your first chance to make contact with a hiring professional, but it’s one spot where tardiness often wins out over due diligence. We’re talking about the “Dear Sir or Madam” approach. What this generic salutation says isn’t positive that you couldn’t be bothered to find out the hiring manager’s name.To find the name of the hiring manager, try searching on Google or LinkedIn. Even a good guess scores you points because it indicates that you tried harder than everyone else.
Make sure to mention the name of the company in the letter, followed by an explanation of why you are interested in working there. Recruiters have a way of sensing when you are being less than truthful. Bombastic claims are just as bad as insincerity.
You also need to make a sales pitch as to why the employer should want to work with you. Your letter should explain what you can do for your employer,’ not what you are selling. “The key is to give the reader a small glimpse into your background, which gives them a window to want to learn more by reading your resume.
Look and Feel
Introduce yourself and state why you are writing; you are enthusiastically presenting yourself for a job, and your background makes you the best candidate. List a referral source if possible.The first paragraph is your introduction and should explain the reason why you are writing. The title of the job you are seeking along with the name of the publication in which you saw the job posting should appear. If you were referred by a common party, be sure to mention that as well. The last sentence of your introduction should express your interest in the job and confidence in your ability to do it.
Next, preferably in the second paragraph list your value to the company. Describe how you will contribute to the company from day one. This should be based on your perceptual map of the company and job.Share knowledge of the company’s goals, accomplishments and opportunities.Ask for the interview and state when (exactly) you will follow up.
If you are responding a job posting, the column approach is recommended.. Below is a sample of how that might look, with bulleted lists of requirements and descriptions of how your background matches them:
Job Requirements My experience:
1-2 years software development experience 2 yrs of experience in asp.net
Cover letters can also be used to bridge your background and the job. Below is the cover letter of a candidate with a degree in computer applications who wants to get a job in the video-gaming business:
“As you can see, my resume is attached. But what you won’t see on my resume is my passion for video gaming: it is how I see the world. My analytical skills and attention to detail will enable me to help solve the caller’s problems and ensure a high-quality product.”
Syntax is mandatory
A cover letter is to resume what courtship is to marriage. Recruiters are faced with large stacks of resumes for new positions; you’ll never make the first cut if they notice even one spelling or grammar mistake on your cover letter. That would make them make up their mind what your resume is going to look like without even opening the attachment.
The love – hate relationship
Your cover letter sets off atangential love hate relationship between you and your prospective employer.
The most effective cover letters are those that do one of the following two things in one sentence or two: They make a compelling statement that begs a response, or they ask a question that must be answered.
“A good approach is to ask for clarification of a point that makes it clear they have done their homework, as in: ‘your ad said X while your Web site said Y … Could you help me understand Z?’ The goal is to initiate a conversation rather than just throw your resume into a pile.”
The greatest put off in a cover letter is the use of slang, colloquial language and abbreviations
Phrases like “idunno “WTF” and using all capital letters have no place in professional correspondence, he said.Using them risks confusing your reader, who might not know what their spelled-out versions are.Reserve these abbreviations for texting; cover letters should have the full lucidity of our language and the keyboard.
Unless requested, salary requirements should never be brought up. If they were requested, your best bet is to acknowledge the request without going into any detail. Indicate that you will be happy to discuss salary requirements once mutual interest has been established.
The final word
Keep your conclusion short and simple. Express your interest once more and repeat your confidence in your ability to do the job. Finish by indicating that you will be in contact to determine the next step. End with a professional closure like sincerely.
Therefore, cover your resume in such manner that the cover commands attention- and opens the window to- Your Resume.
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