Employment cover letters, your introduction to potential employers, when written effectively, can significantly increase your chances securing a job interview. Although some job advertisements may not mention one needing to be sent as part of an application, it is always better to err on the side of caution and enclose one. If you are unsure on how to write covering letters for resumes, you should read through the following pointers to help you get started..

Tailoring Employment Cover Letters

The one size fits all approach to cover letter writing, more often than not, does not always work! Your letter should be tailored to a particular job requirement for a specific employer. A good starting point is to look at the job specification, as it will clearly outline what is required for the opening. Taking the most pertinent parts of your work history, you can begin to craft your letter to show the employer how your skills are the right fit for the post.

What do employers look for when reading Employment Cover Letters?

Unlike a resume, which highlights your achievements and accomplishments, your cover letter should highlight your skills and qualifications. Don’t repeat the same information already in your resume though. Instead, illustrate how your skills can meet the employer's needs. You should be to the point and make good use of action words.

The first sentence should then clearly state your intentions when applying for the job. Companies are often recruiting for many vacancies at one time and can get easily confused as to which candidates are applying for which jobs. Therefore, include any reference numbers provided so as to make it clearer for them.

Summarizing Key Points in Employment Cover Letters

Bullet points can split up your cover letter to draw the reader's attention to your most pertinent selling points. Again, don’t repeat your resume's bulleted items. The key details on a cover letter should either be in complete sentences or should complete the sentence that leads into the bulleted list.

Worded bullets points can also be used to summarize the information into digestible chunks. This method is particularly effective in highlighting main words or phrases from the ad or job posting you're applying to. Drawing out these words of the job spec or advertisement helps you focus on how you meet the requirements of the vacancy.

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