Cover letters hold a lot of importance and a good one can land you a job. It is the first thing that the employer will go through before reading your resume. We are here to help you out and tell you what all you have to do while drafting a cover letter.
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Let us discuss, why it is necessary to draft a proper cover letter. A cover letter is basically a letter explaining the contents of another document. So, if it is written well, then the recruiter will definitely open your Resume/CV. After this blog, follow this guide to Understand How To Develop A Professional Resume/ CV. Now let us learn some do’s and don’ts of preparing a cover letter for finding a job:
DOS OF PREPARING A COVER LETTER
1. Find out hiring manager’s name
When you start writing or preparing a professional cover letter, it is better that you start it by addressing the recruiter/hiring manager by their name. For that, you should dig strong and try to find out their names. By doing so, you set your first impression and catch the attention of the recruiter.
While preparing a professional cover letter you need to know these simple knacks to gain the attention. Learning to draft a cover letter is most important because this is the first thing that your recruiter will read before opening your Resume/CV.
2. Demonstrate your suitability
Promote yourself properly and mention your potential to the maximum extent. Make your cover letter very crisp and precise because nobody has the time to read long stories! You need to keep in mind that you are preparing a cover letter for finding a job, which is not for a personal purpose. Smartly draft it and make it impressive enough so that it lures your recruiter to go through your resume as well. Therefore, it is better to demonstrate your suitability in the right way without sounding too pompous while preparing a professional cover letter.
3. Ensure proper grammar
Draft your cover letter with utmost precision. While preparing a professional cover letter, give attention to your grammar and sentence structure. Instead of using complex words and jargon, use simple and subtle sentences. While preparing a cover letter for finding a job, you must first learn to write error-free because drafting is not an easy task. You have to know what to put and how to put. Grammar is the first thing you will be judged by, and if you get it wrong, you stand no chance.
While drafting a cover letter, people make horrid grammatical and spelling mistakes. In such a case, online editor and grammar check tools give an opportunity to draft excellent and error-free content.
DON’TS OF PREPARING A COVER LETTER
1. Don’t exceed one page
While learning to draft your cover letter, you should know how much to write. As mentioned earlier, you must keep your cover letter short and precise. Don’t exceed more than one page because your recruiter has to go through your resume as well. If your cover letter is long, then there are high chances that your resume will not get checked or screened. While preparing a professional cover letter, you have to be very smart so that you out-stand other applicants.
2. Don’t add unnecessary stuff
This is the most important element of a good cover letter. While preparing a cover letter for finding a job, remember to focus only on the important information. Now that you are advised to keep the letter short, avoid mentioning unnecessary information. Only write about important stuff and make the recruiter go through your resume to find more about you.
The same rule follows when you draft your resume/cv as well. Your resume should immediately draw the attention of the recruiter while screening. So, make sure you don’t stuff your resume with irrelevant information. For details, check out these Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing.
3. Don’t resort to flattery
Be wise and honest while drafting a cover letter. Don’t resort to flattery and blandishment to win the heart of your hiring manager. Be honest about yourself as well as about what you feel about the organization. The hiring manager will know when you are praising the company and when you are trying to flatter. Express your feelings as to why you need the job and how you are an apt choice without any exaggeration.
By now, you must have learned about what you need to keep in mind while preparing a cover letter for finding a job. These were the ways, in which you can learn to draft a cover letter. Make it very appealing and attractive so that the recruiter is forced to open your resume. Keep these tips in mind and follow the proper format. For further reading, check our blog on 5 universal rules for Effective Resume Writing.
