Cover letters are the initial selling point of yourself when you want to find a job through a recruiter. There are many aspects you should consider when you write a cover letter. These things include the reason you are writing the letter, how you learned of the position, it must be convincing, be positive, and more.
The first thing you want to point out in a cover letter is why you are even sending a resume to the business. What is your purpose? Obviously, they have a position that you think you are qualified for and you want to be considered. It is important to point this out in the cover letter exactly why you are sending your resume to them.
The next thing you should point out is how you learned about the position you are applying for. Let them know which place is most effective in their advertising efforts for the job. If you found the job in a technical database it may actually be impressive to the people who have the open position available. It also tells the recruiter the type of person you might be by the method you use to find work. For instance, if you found the job in the local newspaper and not online this might show the employer you are not as wired in as they are hoping the potential candidate should be. On the other hand they might not look into it at all.
Your cover letter needs to be convincing to anyone who picks it up. When you write a cover letter you are selling yourself. It is important to sell to the reader why they need to turn the page and read your resume. Be enticing and create a hook that makes the reader want to get to know you and what you are all about. Make yourself sound like the best thing they have ever come across and the best person for the available position. If you are serious about the job then express this. You should not be overly sure about yourself. It is a fine line that you need to learn about selling yourself without coming across as too sure. This can ruin it for you. The hook is the most important thing you can do when you write a cover letter. When you hook the reader they will turn the page and want to read your resume. You may even convince them they should hire you by the cover letter alone. They might never even look at your resume.
A cover letter needs to reflect a positive attitude. This is important to recruiters because they want to find someone who has a good attitude they can place with a business. Add your personality to your cover letter. If you have a lot of energy, show it. Be sure to remain professional when you show your personality. Don't get out of control or put a joke inside of the cover letter. You don't know if the person reading will find it amusing.
When you write your cover letter you also should refer to specific information and skills required for the position you are hoping to obtain. Most positions specifically ask for certain skills and if you do not have those exact skills they won't even consider you. If you know the position that you want and you know the exact skills required to be considered, let them know right up front you have the skills. You need to do this because the recruiter needs to know that they are not wasting their time reading your resume. Chances are good there are two hundred other people applying for the same position. Give yourself an edge by letting the recruiter know right up front they are not wasting their time.
The end of your cover letter needs to let the recruiter know exactly how you will follow up. There are two primary methods of follow up which include a letter of inquiry or a letter of application. You should let the recruiter know you will follow up with one of these methods. The most important thing to remember is that if you say you are going to follow up with them and how you will follow up they will be expecting it. Don't say you will follow up if you really don't plan on it. This is your first test. You may get a call before your follow up period. However, some recruiters may not call you because they will expect to hear from you through the method of follow up you stated you would do. If you do not follow up this will show you are not reliable but you say the right things.
A cover letter for a recruiter is your chance to sell yourself. You need to convince a recruiter or an employer why you are the best candidate for a specific position. You might have a recruiter determined to find you a job if they don't have one by an amazing cover letter. Be professional and be sure to have all of the key points included in your cover letter.
