| Being able to create effective cover letters is a | | | | You need to demonstrate your experience in |
| necessary skill for improved success in your jobs | | | | such a that the employer will immediately want to |
| search. The reason it is so important is a good | | | | read your CV for more information. The best |
| cover letter can entice employers to give your | | | | way to do this is to think what problem the |
| CV/ resume the attention it deserves, it will | | | | employer is trying to fix by hiring someone new |
| create the employers initial opinion of you. Some | | | | eg. Increase the department sales. What you then |
| people think you should send out the same | | | | need to do is demonstrate how your skills and |
| generic cover letter for every position, this is a | | | | experience can provide a solution for that |
| big mistake!! You need to tailor your cover letter | | | | problem. |
| so that it is specific to the employer as this will | | | | Create effective cover letters tip 5: Use bullet |
| entice them to read your CV. We are going to 8 | | | | points to highlight specific accomplishments |
| cover tips that will help you to create effective | | | | Although your cover letter will have some crucial |
| cover letters that are employer specific ad reader | | | | facts about your experience and skills you do |
| friendly. | | | | want to make is short and easy to read, bullet |
| Create effective cover letters tip 1: Address the | | | | points will make your cover letters very reader |
| cover letter to a specific person (Hiring Manager) | | | | friendly. |
| You need to make sure that your letter gets | | | | Create effective cover letters tip 6: Avoid stating |
| seen by the correct person, if possible you should | | | | your salary requirements |
| bypass Human resources altogether as they only | | | | If possible avoid stating your salary requirement |
| act as a middle man and can slow down the | | | | or current salary etc. There are two reasons for |
| process. What you need to do is find out who the | | | | this, first you don't want to be discounted from a |
| hiring manager is and address the letter to them. | | | | position due to your salary requirements and |
| You don't want anyone else to be in the position | | | | second you don't want them putting you into a |
| where they decide whether your letter does or | | | | certain salary bracket, you need to be discussing |
| doesn't get seen by the correct person. | | | | salary once you have demonstrated how you can |
| Create effective cover letters tip 2: Explain why | | | | bring value to the organisation. |
| you are writing to them. | | | | Create effective cover letters tip 7: Tell the |
| This is a part that so many candidates miss it's | | | | employer exactly how and when they can |
| unbelievable! I have had so many cover letters | | | | contact you for an interview |
| come through that immediately sweep into their | | | | This is more for your benefit as supposed to the |
| salary expectations etc. but haven't even | | | | employers, if it's quickest to reach you by phone |
| mentioned why they are contacting me! So | | | | the employer will hopefully do so and you can get |
| opening your letter with an explanation of why | | | | in for the Interview and impress them far quicker |
| you are contacting the hiring manager sets the | | | | than if they were to send you an email (because |
| right tone. | | | | you hadn't made clear the best way to contact |
| Create effective cover letters tip 3: Get directly | | | | you) which you only check once a week! |
| to the point. | | | | Create effective cover letters tip 8: Always proof |
| After explaining why you are writing to them it's | | | | read two or three times before sending. |
| important that you then get right to the point and | | | | This is a very basic one which most people now |
| plan why they should be reading your CV | | | | do but I'm still surprised by the amount of letters |
| (demonstrate your suitability for the role). | | | | I get with spelling and grammatical errors. It is |
| Create effective cover letters tip 4: Focus your | | | | also always worthwhile getting someone else to |
| statements on how you will help fill the employer's | | | | check your letter as well to see how it reads. |
| need | | | | |