Writing The Perfect Cover Letter, Part 7
(Writing The Best Cover Letters To Go With Your Resume)
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Three Reasons Why You Need to Customize Your Cover Letter
Writing a cover letter may be the answer to your dream of getting the job that you want. If you can write a really smart one, you might get called for an interview even if your resume is not that good. It’s not saying though that you should not focus on writing a resume that is effective and enticing. Rather, it is just a way of giving you an idea of how powerful a well-crafted cover letter can be. Cover letters may seem like the thing of the past to the new generation of job seekers. It is probably true. But, it is also a reality that most things of the past are still very much needed in the present time, and cover letter is one of them. If you are wondering if you really need to write and include a cover letter for your job applications, then the answer is yes. Generally, your cover letter should be an extension of your resume. Just like in resume writing, this letter should be customized and not generic.  Here are three reasons why you need to customize your cover letter:

1. Customizing your cover letter demonstrates that you have taken the time and have spent the effort in learning more about the company.
If your resume is written for a specific job for a particular company, then you must do the same with the cover letter. You should sell yourself by talking about your skills and how the company will gain benefits from them. Demonstrate in your letter of how you have spent time researching about company to learn about their goals and missions. Make yourself enticing enough for the potential employer or hiring manager to make the purchase (or schedule the interview).

2. Customizing your cover letter indicates that you really want to get the job.
A lot of people misunderstand the importance of using a cover letter. There are those who make the mistake of writing one letter to use for all their job applications without any revision. They presumably assume that a cover letter is not really that significant in the modern process of job application. When you customize your cover letter to fit your qualifications to the requirements, you are presenting yourself in a very good light and as someone who really deserves an interview.

3. Customizing your cover letter allows you to add extra information to support your resume package.
Since resume writing only allows you to write brief descriptions of your highlighted accomplishments and skills, you do not get to use enough resume space to explain further. With a cover letter, on the hand, you have more opportunities to point out other career or achievement highlights that could land you an interview. The best way to do this is to tailor the set of skills and achievements that you have and adding better descriptions like awards or certifications attained through participating in company competitions or training programs. With this additional information backing your achievements, you are putting yourself out there as an appealing job applicant. Tailor your cover letter as you would customize your resume because not all companies are looking for similar sets of skills and experience requirements.

How to Write a Customized Cover Letter
Writing a customized cover letter for every position you are applying for, may take more time. But, just like in resume writing, customizing is important in composing a cover letter. Always keep in mind that this letter is just as important as your resume. A resume is undoubtedly an important document for any job search process. But, it is not the only important document that could seal in an interview. It is believed that a strategically-targeted, well-crafted and tailor-made cover letter is a very important tool that you can use in your quest for getting a job. Consider this letter as a weapon that would help you win a battle. One reason, why a cover letter gets the same importance as your resume, is because it gives you the chance to target both job and employer in a more detailed and specific manner. This leaves your cover letter to be the marketing tool for your experiences, accomplishments and skills. That is why it is important to customize. If you succeed in making your cover letters comprehensively detailed and customized for each job application, your resume will not need much tweaking before every submission.

Personalizing Tips for Your Cover Letter
In writing a resume, there is not much need to personalize. With a cover letter though, this is very important. One proven-effective way to do this is to find the hiring manager. This should be easy as in most job postings – like in LinkedIn - the hiring managers are the ones posting the jobs. You can also search through the company website and look for the recruiting personnel’s name. Once you have the information, address your cover letter to that person.

Name-Drop If Possible
Name-dropping is not really a bad thing. Mentioning that you know someone who works at the company is just like when you are writing a resume and providing references. The difference is that the hiring manager can easily confirm if you are telling the truth in a cover letter. To be on the safe side, you should talk to your contact first and ask for a recommendation or make them aware that you will be adding their name in your letter. This could even be beneficial for that employee as some companies offer bonuses for Employee Referral programs.

It is Worth Mentioning How You Learned of the Job Posting
One way of customizing your cover letter is mentioning how you became aware of the job posting. When you write something like, “I saw this job opening on Glassdoor job posting.” The hiring manager will realize that you are indeed serious in your job hunting undertaking.

Showcasing Your Qualifications is a Great Way to Customize
Since hiring managers and potential employers usually only consider candidates that are qualified and appealing at first glance, you must customize your cover letter in such a way that you showcase your qualifications matching the job description at the top. Also, it would be a good idea to make sure you match the details on your resume with the information you want to customize and emphasize on the cover letter.

Writing Guidelines for an Effective Cover Letter
Having a cover letter is important because it should tell more about you. It should not be a repeat performance of your resume though. Rather, it should communicate what attracts you to the job and why you would want to work for the company. Composing an effective killer cover letter may not be a simple task. Just like in writing a resume, it does require thought, understanding and knowledge but it can be done for sure. A close to perfect cover letter (if you really don’t think perfecting one is impossible) should be able to land you an interview.
 

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