When writing a cover letter, there are a few things you need to remember. First of all, don’t start the letter with “To whom it may concern.” Whenever you can, begin your letter with a phrase like “Dear Sir or Madam”. You can also use a semi-colon instead of a comma.
Personalize your letter for each role
To get the most out of your cover letters, personalize them for the role you are applying for. Make sure to include the name of the company, the title of the job, and your reasons for applying for the role. If you are applying for a role with a specific name, do your research and call or email the company to find out about the company’s requirements.
When writing your cover letter, include your key skills and strengths, which are likely to match the job description. Remember to add your key words in bold or indented text.
Don’t start with “To Whom It May Concern”
When applying for a job, don’t start your cover letter with “To Whom It May concern.” While this greeting is fine for an email or letter of interest to a large group, it isn’t appropriate for cover letters. Unless you’re trying to impress someone in the company, this style of greeting isn’t going to help you get an interview. It demonstrates a lack of research and doesn’t show that you are interested in the job.
“To Whom It May Concern” is outdated and should not be used on cover letters. This greeting should be followed by a colon instead of a name. It’s only appropriate in 1895. The “To Whom It May Concern” greeting has a bad rep with many managers. While 25% of managers prefer this salutation, 75% of them don’t.
Show that you understand the company’s culture
Include your education if it’s relevant to the position. If not, focus on relevant experiences and projects you have undertaken. For example, if you’re a new graduate, mention projects you’ve worked on and skills you’ve acquired while at school. However, make sure not to divulge information about your courses that might be irrelevant to the company’s culture. Instead, use the cover letter as an opportunity to show that you understand the culture of the company.
Your cover letter should answer two important questions: how well do you fit into the company’s culture, and how do you match the company’s values? If you understand the company’s mission and values, you can use examples of how your skills and experiences align with the company’s values.
Avoid awkward phrasing or long sentences
When writing a cover letter, it is important to use effective language and avoid awkward phrasing or long sentences. Generic sentences or phrases don’t add proof to your message and can actually detract from your writing. Instead, try to shorten your sentences to focus on one or two important verbs. You can also cut words and phrases that don’t add value to your writing. These can include “as well as” and “for the most part,” which will help you save a few words and make your cover letter more powerful.
Don’t start your cover letter with “I’m writing to apply for the position of…” Try to start your letter by mentioning the company name or source of the job listing. If you feel that the position is too general, you can begin by relating a personal story that ties in with the job description.
Switch to a different font size to notice mistakes
One simple way to spot mistakes in a cover letter is to change the font size. When your letter is written in a large font, the words can become difficult to read and may not stand out. The second most popular font size is italicized, which is a bit more difficult to read.
Generally, you should use a font size of 12 point or larger for your cover letter. Using a font size less than 12 point can make it difficult to read, which will result in your cover letter being passed over by hiring managers. If you are not sure what font size to use, show your cover letter to a friend or family member to get their opinion.
Send it to a friend for a second opinion
Getting someone else to read your cover letter will give it an objective second set of eyes. Their fresh perspective can spot grammatical errors and problems with tone. They can also point out areas that could use improvement, such as a tone of underselling. Feedback is important if you want to make your cover letter stand out.
Ask a trusted friend or colleague to read over your cover letter for grammar errors. You can ask them to review it in a different font, and they’ll be more likely to catch mistakes. Another good option is to use a free tool like Grammarly to check for mistakes. You can also ask a friend or family member to read it for you. This person will check if it reads well and has no mistakes.