Use these 6 tips to write a catchy cover letter

If your resume is the movie, your cover letter is the little teaser video that gets people intrigued enough to want to watch the movie from start to finish. While the ATS won’t care much about your cover letter, the human reader who gets to view your job application after the screening will want to read the letter first before moving on to the resume.

Even if you write a stellar resume with all the right qualifications, if your cover letter looks as if it has been put together at the last minute, a hiring manager will not be compelled to give you much of a chance. That’s why you need to put a generous amount of dedication into writing your cover letter as well.

1. A good cover letter uses professional language and concise sentences

There’s no need for you to confuse a hiring manager with long, complex sentences. You should aim to give a reflection on your resume and emphasize some career highlights in your cover letter to pique the interest of a reader. A successful cover letter is always simple.

2. Use the right industry-related keywords

Describing why your experience and skills are the most suitable to perform the functions of this job using the proper keywords from the job description is a must. A good cover letter shows the recruiter why they must hire you for their position. When you align the language of your cover letter with the words and phrases from the employer’s job description, you can easily establish a bond with the reader.

3. Make the cover letter all about them

Your resume is all about you. It describes your skills, your expertise, and your qualifications. However, your cover letter should be written around the employer’s needs. You must persuade them of the advantages you provide. Address how your skills can help the employer. Put your best foot forward by solving the employer’s problems in the cover letter.

4. Use a clear and easy-to-read template

Instead of choosing a cover letter template from the internet, create your own to match the resume. A simple touch of color here and there will go a long way for your cover letter. Organize the sections of your cover letter carefully. Write it in such a way that the reader’s attention is immediately drawn to the important information.

5. Invest a lot of time in the body of your cover letter

This is where you mention the best details. Your accomplishments and achievements, your academic excellence, and your best experiences go here. You can even add a bulleted list of key achievements from your resume in the body of the cover letter. But take care not to repeat your entire resume. You can even mention a referral in the cover letter to improve your chances.

6. End the letter with a call for action

Remember to tell the reader what to do after reading your cover letter. Do you want them to call you for a brief conversation? Are you looking for an appointment to have an interview? Or do you want something else? Clearly state what you expect the hiring manager to do at the end of your cover letter.