How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You Noticed

Cover letters are the first thing employers see before viewing a resume. Learn what to include in your cover letter that will motivate employers to contact you for a job interview. Hiring managers are flooded with tons of resumes and cover letters every day. Often, hiring managers do not have time to thoroughly read all of the resumes they receive.

This means that you need to ensure your cover letter is going to get the hiring manager’s attention in order to increase your chances of getting called in for an interview.

So what makes a great cover letter? The simple answer is that a good cover letter is one that will produce results and lead to you landing the job you want. Your resume and cover letter are complimentary, so they should work together to increase your chances of getting hired. If you are applying for jobs that you know you are qualified for but are not getting called back for an interview, it could very well be that your cover sheet isn’t effective enough or lacks substance.

Since hiring managers are usually short on time, it is critical that you highlight how your abilities and expertise will make you an excellent addition to their organization. You should quickly identify why you are the most qualified candidate.

A successful cover letter should contain the following elements:
1. Introduction
2. Objective Statement
3. Accomplishments
4. Closing

Introduction.

The introduction paragraph is the most important part of the cover letter as it is the first thing hiring managers read. It should include a brief overview of your skills and accomplishments that also appear on your resume.

Objective Statement.

This is the second paragraph in a cover sheet and needs to be clear, concise, and simple. Unfortunately, many jobseekers forget to include this section in their cover letters. Here you should tell the hiring manager why you are sending them a copy of your resume. You also need to explain your career objective which is a summary of the job opportunities you would like to pursue with the employer.

Accomplishments.

The following paragraph should contain a brief excerpt of career achievements that are included in your resume. Extracting vital information from your resume will save the hiring manager time. If they are not satisfied after reading through your accomplishments, then it probably is not a good fit.

Closing.

Finish 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 their organization if you are hired.

Keep your cover letter brief and no longer than one page. Even if you have many different reasons for why you are the best candidate for the job and have a lot of good examples of your achievements, you still need to summarize it so that it is as short as possible. You should review your cover letter until you are satisfied that any unnecessary details have been removed and narrowed down.