Hiring managers are inundated with tons of resumes and cover letters every day. Hiring managers often don’t have time to peruse all the resumes they receive. This means that you need to ensure that your cover letter catches the attention of the hiring manager to increase your chances of being called in for an interview.
So what makes a good cover letter? The answer is that a good cover is one that will produce results and get you the job you want. Your resume and coverage are free, and therefore you must work together to increase your chances of being hired. If you are applying for jobs that you know you are qualified for, but are not called back for an interview, it is quite possible that your cover page is not effective enough or lacks substance. Since hiring managers are generally short on time, it is critical that you highlight how your skills and experience will make you a great addition to your organization. You need to quickly identify why you are the most qualified candidate.
A successful cover should have the following elements:
1. Introduction
2. Statement of objectives
3. Achievements
4. Closure
Introduction. The introductory paragraph is the most important part of the cover letter, as it is the first thing hiring managers read. You should include a brief description of your skills and accomplishments that also appear on your resume.
Statement of objectives. This is the second paragraph of a letter and it should be clear, concise, and simple. Unfortunately, many job seekers forget to include this section in their cover letters. Here you must tell the hiring manager why you are sending them a copy of your resume. You must also explain your career objective, which is a summary of the job opportunities you would like to pursue with the employer.
Achievements. The next paragraph should contain a short excerpt from the professional achievements that are included in your resume. Extracting vital information from your resume will save the hiring manager time. After reading your achievements, if you are not satisfied, it is probably not a good choice.
Closure. You should end your cover letter with a clear statement of your enthusiasm and optimism. Here you tell the hiring manager that you are interested in discussing how you can add value to your organization if you are hired.
Keep your letter short and one page only. Even if you have many different reasons why you are the best candidate for the job and you have many good examples of your accomplishments, you still need to summarize it to be as brief as possible. You can keep reviewing your cover letter until you are satisfied that all unnecessary details have been removed and reduced.