Cover letters can be pretty boring, and some hiring managers don’t bother looking at them at all. If you want yours to stand out, you’ll need to make a great impression. Think about how you would thank that company for hiring you, and start your letter there.
Picture: bearstache/Flickr
The Glassdoor Blog runs down several useful ways to make your cover letter stand out that don’t begin with “Dear sir or madam, I’d like to apply for the position of X.” Instead, tell a mini anecdote that’s relevant to the company or the job, or write it as if you already have the job — you’ll show confidence (within reason, of course) and hit the important points at once:
When you jump into writing your cover letter, shift your mindset to as if you’re already hired. Pretend you’re in the break room and one of your coworkers or manager asks you why you chose to work at their company. This is a great way to show your interest in your cover letter.
Example: When I discovered Accounting Solutions was hiring, I knew I had to apply. I’ve been waiting to find a company where I feel like I can make a difference while working as an accountant. Not only are your clients awesome, but the overall mission of your company is something I believe in, too.
We think it’s a solid approach, and if you do it without getting too full of yourself, it’s convincing at the same time. They also suggest keeping it brief and remembering that the cover letter is supposed to introduce you and your passion for the job, and let your resume do the real talking. Hit the link below for more cover letter tips.
6 Unconventional Ways to Start a Cover Letter [Glassdoor Blog]
Comments
2 responses to “Write Your Cover Letter Like An Acceptance Speech”
“Cover letters can be pretty boring, and some hiring managers don’t bother looking at them at all. ”
Let me correct that for you…
Cover letters are utterly boring, and almost all hiring managers don’t bother looking at them at all (as life is simply too short).
If you want yours to stand out, you ought to divert your attention to less wasteful endeavors – such as ensuring your resume is as good as it can be.
Sure. you can apply some creativity and come up with the worlds best cover letter – but is it going to help you if the modern standards are such that recruiters and employers won’t read them? Rhetorical.
Tl;dr