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5 protocols for writing the perfect covering letter for a job

The modern cover letter should focus on the first and foremost on the company it's directed to, say career experts. In today, you also need to demonstrate a genuine interest in the company and prove you know how to help it. Good cover letter provides context for a resume. It allows you to pitch for the job, by sharing what you know about the future employer and elaborating your accomplishments that are relevant of their business. It also helps explain gaps in your CV, such as employment breaks and career switches if any.  In addition to these basic rules, keep these five rules in mind such as:

1. Start strong

An effective cover letter must begin on a strong note. Recruiters go through hundreds of applications a day, so you need to be able to catch their attention with a good opening line. There are several approaches you could use for this. This will make you sound professional. The tried and tested way is to introduce you and get to the point immediately. Other methods include conveying your enthusiasm for the job or expressing a positive observation about the company.  Irrespective of what approach you take, ensure you have a gripping and original first line.

2. Share facts and figures

A good strategy is to pick out a couple of your most important accomplishments relevant to the position you are seeking and supplement them with numbers. Recruiters are always on the lookout for reasons to hire you. An effective cover letter should spell out why a candidate thinks  he/she is the best person for the job and this case needs to be backed up with sufficient evidence of past achievements.

For example, share profit percentages, budgets and time frames to highlight your successes instead of just pluralizing your accomplishments so that a hiring manager knows exactly what you can do when he/she reads your letter. Saying, “Improved production efficiency” doesn’t have the same ring as ‘Created processes that boosted production by 15 percent’.

3. Use the right keywords

Very effective cover letter makes generous use of keywords to convey the message that the applicant possesses the attributes required for the job. Avoid clichés and opt for descriptive adjectives. For instance, instead of calling yourself a hard worker, said, “I have a tremendous capacity for work”. To write an effective cover letter, scan the job details carefully and incorporate as many relevant keywords as you can without making it seem contrived. Keywords related to a specific job can usually be found in the job advertisement, where the recruiters will list the skills and qualities required. Try using a professional resume writing service to help you craft a balanced pitch. 
 
4. Sound excited

The best cover letters always adopt an enthusiastic tone. No one wants to meet a listless candidate, use for the opportunity that the cover letter gives you to sound animated about yourself and the position you are applying for. The tone and attitude reflected in your cover letter is significant as it’ll influence the hiring manager’s decision of whether or not to call you for an interview. So, be sure to sound positive and eager about the job.

5. Make your cover letter reader-friendly

Since the hiring manager has to go through several applications within a limited time, make your letter as easy to read as possible. Use formatting elements like bullet points, underlines, italics and capital letters to emphasise key points. Not only will this convey your message more effectively, it will also make your letter more aesthetically appealing.

Top tips to keep in mind while writing a cover letter

• Source the name of the person you are writing to. Try to avoid generalizations such as ‘Dear Madam/Sir’ or ‘Dear HR Manager’.
• Do not go on about what a job with the company means to you. Instead focus on what you can do for them.
• Avoid cliches like “Find my resume enclosed”. The person reading your letter can see there is a CV attached.
• Don’t end by saying you’ll wait to hear from them. Ask for an interview or state your intentions to follow up with a phone call.
• Do not ramble on about your career. Tailor the letter specifically to the job you are applying for.
• Your letter reflects your ability to write and communicate. So, make sure you proofread it before sending it out. 
• Use strong words such as “I am convinced” instead of “I feel” to make an impact.