Ready to jumpstart your job search and land your dream job in 2023? Writing a compelling cover letter is a crucial step in securing an interview and making a great first impression on potential employers. Yet resume writing can often feel a bit like fine art, and crafting the perfect cover letter can feel a little overwhelming at first. But this is your key opportunity to showcase your skills, experiences, and personality and set yourself apart from other applicants.
But, with so many job seekers vying for attention, how can you make sure your cover letter stands out? In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about writing the perfect cover letter in 2023, including dos and don’ts, tips for tailoring your cover letter to the job, and useful resources to help you along the way. So grab a coffee, and let’s get into it!
Do’s of Writing the Perfect Cover Letter in 2023
1: Do Your Homework
How to write a cover letter for a job that sounds professional and unique? Start by doing your homework about the role and the company in general. This is going to help you align your skills and level of experience with exactly what the recruiter is looking for. Check out the company’s website, LinkedIn profile, and social media pages, and read its mission statement to get a sense of its tone and style.
2: Tailor Your CV To The Role
Use this information to then craft a cover letter that is specific to the position you are applying for. Try to include examples of how your qualifications match the needs stated in the job posting. You’ll impress your potential employer with your level of focus and aptitude in this way. And you can even take this a step further by giving clear examples of how you’ve used these skills in a previous role.
3: Let Your Unique Personality Shine Through
Do you have the drive, determination, and proactive attitude the company is looking for? How well do you deal with stress at work? Are you competitive? Do you understand the importance of teamwork? If you’re not sure how to write a cover letter to secure an interview, listen closely! People hire people. And so, injecting aspects of your unique personality into your resume is going to transform its overall look and feel. This can be done by adding information about your passions, hobbies, and greatest achievements. But rather than just drop them in, which can sound quite deliberate, use them to showcase the characteristics you have that make you the best person for the job!
4: Demonstrate The Value You’ll Bring
In addition to showing your personality, it’s important to focus on the value you can bring to the company. Use concrete examples of your accomplishments and successes, and explain how they make you a great candidate for the position. Bullet points your achievements to make them really stand out.
5: Always Proofread Before Hitting Submit
Don’t fail at the last hurdle when it comes to CV writing. Always proofread your cover letter before you send it to a hiring manager or recruiter. A well-written cover letter is essential, but it’s also important to make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors.
What To Avoid When Resume Writing
Now, let’s talk about what not to do when putting together the perfect cover letter.
1: Don’t Become Lazy With Generic Templates
Using a generic cover letter template is a surefire way to blend in with other applicants. Instead, write a unique cover letter that shows your personality and sets you apart from other applicants. Read our latest article on New Year, New Job? CV Writing Advice for Success in 2023 for CV inspiration.
2: Resume Writing Shouldn’t Repeat Your CV
Your cover letter should complement your CV, never repeat it. Use your cover letter to highlight your most relevant experiences and skills and explain why you’re a good fit for the position.
3: Avoid Buzzwords To Stand Out
Avoid using buzzwords and cliches in your cover letter. Instead, use concrete examples and specific details to show the employer what you can bring to the company.
4: Pay Close Attention To The Finer Details
It’s important to pay attention to the details when writing your cover letter. Make sure you’ve spelled the company and the hiring manager’s name correctly and that you’ve used the correct title.
Tips for Tailoring Your Cover Letter to the Job
But how do you tweak your CV to the specific role you’re applying for? Well, this all comes down to personalisation. Start with a custom greeting and make sure to find the name of the hiring manager to address them directly. This will help your resume immediately stand out from those using ‘To Whom It May Concern’.
Talk about the company culture to show recruiters that you’re aware of the office environment and dynamics and would be a great fit whilst also adding value.
Use an active voice to keep the hiring manager engaged when reviewing your resume. This helps to show enthusiasm for the job. Here’s how to use the active voice during an interview;
Passive Voice: “During my last job, I was responsible for managing a team of five people.”
Active Voice: “In my last job, I managed a team of five people, where I successfully led the team to complete a project ahead of schedule.”
By using an active voice, you are highlighting your role and key accomplishments whilst emphasizing your value to the organization. This helps you come across as confident, enthusiastic, and results-driven, all of which are qualities that employers tend to look for in job candidates.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, writing the perfect cover letter is a crucial step in landing your dream job in 2023. By following these tips and using the right tools and resources, you can write a cover letter that sets you apart from other applicants and gets you noticed by potential employers. If you’re also in need of some CV writing advice, be sure to check out our post on “New Year, New Job: CV Writing Advice for Success in 2023”.
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