Have you ever sent your résumé to a company only to find out that your information was either misunderstood, mishandled, or discarded? Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence in today’s world where companies receive hundreds of résumés a day.

One of the best ways to guarantee that the hiring manager will see your résumé is to make sure it is accompanied by a cover letter. The purpose of this one-page document is to personalize your résumé and to introduce yourself to the company.

How to Write a Cover Letter

A well put together cover letter along with a strong résumé highlighting your experience gives the hiring manager an opportunity to get a comprehensive look at who you are as a candidate. The stronger these two elements are, the more likely it is that he or she will call you in for an interview. To reach this goal, your cover letter must include several key ingredients:

  • First, you must attract the reader’s attention by relating something of interest to them. It’s typical to write about whatever triggered your interest in pursuing the company in the first place.
  • Secondly, you need to develop your reader’s interest by sharing your background, experience, or qualities which fulfill a need.
  • Thirdly, you should validate your skills and abilities. A summary of your most significant achievements or accomplishments as they pertain to the position will assist in building your case for candidacy.
  • Lastly, a good cover letter will encourage the reader to take action. Your objective is to entice the reader to view your résumé and set up an interview. It is also useful to mention that you will be following up this information package with a call to determine if they have any questions about your background.

One tip is to create one cover letter and then use it as a template for future applications. Be sure to customize each cover letter to the specifics of the job you’re applying for and the person who will read it. In other words, one size does not fit all. Each separate job application should have a different cover letter attached to your résumé.

A good cover letter will always enhance your chances of moving forward in the hiring process. If you have any questions regarding cover letters, résumés, or how to find your ideal job, contact the experts at J.L. Nixon Consulting. We have experience placing professionals all across the country to work for their dream company. Contact us today at (210) 649-1500 to learn more about what we can do for you.