5 Compelling Things HR Managers Want To See in Your Cover Letter
By Lilian Wamaitha,
As the old adage goes ‘you never get a second chance to make a good first impression’. This is the same case when it comes to job search. And in most cases, your first impression on a hiring manager begins with your CV and cover letter. If you don’t get the cover letter right, you may never get the opportunity to wow them with your new suit, confident eye contact, and compelling interview stories.
It is the first thing the hiring manager sees before he/she even looks at your CV. Therefore make it as compelling as possible, and impress the hiring manager. How then do you cover all of your skills, experience and your personality in a few short paragraphs and in a way that convinces your dream company to potentially hire you?
Here are a 5 few things to consider when writing a cover letter that will get you shortlisted for an interview:
1. Address the Hiring Manager
When coming up with a cover letter a good number of people have no idea who to address it to. When it comes to wowing the hiring manger with your cover letter, it is right to address it to the right person. In this case a cover letter should always be addressed to the hiring manager. However in most cases you find that the contact has not been given in the job advert and it is therefore up to you to do your research and make phone calls to get the name of the person you should address it to. This shows that you are truly interested in working for them.
2. Tailor it to Your Industry
A cover letter is your one chance to show the hiring manager that you are fit for this role before they even look at your CV. You should therefore ensure that your cover letter is tailored to the position you are applying for. For instance a cover letter for an accountant shouldn’t look the same as that of a communication assistant. This applies mostly when you are applying for a job in a specialized position where the details matter most. Think about thi. If you cant use the skills you have to write a good cover letter, why then should the employer consider your application for a job.
3. Show value to the Company
A cover letter is not just an application to get you that next job. In order to stand out you need to convince the hiring manger that you can really add value to the company. You find that most people use the cover letter as an avenue to brag about their skills and expertise, forgetting that the hiring manager is looking for someone specific to fill a certain position. Therefore instead of entirely focusing on yourself, try emphasizing how much value you can bring to the company.
4. Make It Short and Sweet
The best cover letters are concise, friendly and transparent. They don’t have to be long; in fact, the best cover letters get right to the heart of why we are a great fit for them, and why they are a great fit for us. Recruiters are reading hundreds of applications a day, so a well-written and concise letter makes our job a little easier which is definitely appreciated.
5. Be Passionate
This is your time to show off your knowledge of and a passion for the organization and the work. Hiring managers, need to know why you are interested in working for that company. Nobody wants to hire someone who had the qualifications for a job but demonstrated no passion or knowledge of what you do.
A cover letter is a great place to explain you are a good fit for the organisation. Why should they hire you? Therefore take it upon yourself to explain why the organization needs you and not the other candidates.
