How to Customise a Cover Letter for Each Job

Introduction

Companies are scrambling to find hires, either because the economy has upended their businesses or to fill the waning stream of people leaving. So in the rush to apply for opportunities, the question is obvious to many: do cover letters still matter? An effective cover letter doesn't just repeat your CV; This is your chance to highlight your proudest moments. A cover letter is used to demonstrate your interest in the role, your passion for the company, and the impact you've had in previous positions. The cover letter writing should include an exceptional opening, relevant skills and qualifications, and a strong finish with a call to action - all within one page and unique to each application. But creating a unique cover letter for each job application is time-consuming and often not seen as worthwhile. However, when you customise a cover letter, you can increase your chances of landing an interview and reduce the amount of time it takes to find a new job. Here are some useful tips for customising a cover letter.

Top tips for Customising a Cover Letter

Customising your cover letter for each application doesn't mean you have to create a new cover letter from scratch for each opening. However, the more tailored your cover letter is to the job, the better your chances are that a recruiter will want to consider your resume. Instead of applying to 10 jobs with a generic cover letter, you'll have more success if you apply to five jobs with more personal documents. So, what can you do to customise the cover letter and make it unique for each job?

Check Specific Instructions

Read the job posting carefully so you know to whom to send your application and what information to include in your cover letter. Not addressing these requests is a surefire way to let your application pile up without a chance.

Don't Repeat Your Resume

Although related, a cover letter and a CV are very different tools. In a resume, you list your achievements and state facts about your work history and education. A cover letter gives you an opportunity to showacse yourself as the best candidate for a particular job.

Use your cover letter to clarify your CV, but don't repeat it. The freedom to use complete sentences instead of bullet points allows you to make a good impression and explain how your work experience makes you uniquely qualified for the job.

Be Personal

In the past, cover letters often began with a general salutation "To whom it may concern" or similar. Identify the hiring manager and use their first and last name when addressing them. Check the job posting, company website or LinkedIn for the name.

But, when you can't find a name, don't use 'Dear Sir or Madam' or 'To whom it may concern’. Instead, try a warm but still professional opening: Dear Recruitment Team [Company Name], Hello, [Company Name] Marketing Team, Dear Finance Recruitment Committee, Good Afternoon, Customer Service Recruitment Team, Dear Hiring Manager.

Do Some Detective Work

Make some inquiries before you even consider your cover letter. Understand what the company does, what the company culture is, and what the key features of the job you are applying for are.

Keep it short, but not too short

Especially when you're excited about the job, It's easy to get carried away. However, hiring managers are busy, so you don't want them to feel forced to read your cover letter.

As a rule, your cover letter should be no more than a page long, so make every word count! Avoid repeating yourself or texting your resume, and stay on topic about why you're a good fit for the role.

Highlight Your Qualifications for the Job

Write several lines that speak directly to some of the key qualifications mentioned in the job description. Matching them to your past experience can be a quick and clear way to show that you're a good fit for the job.

Some employers will separate your cover letter from your resume and look at different pieces for different hiring managers. If you tailor your cover letter to discuss how your previous experience or education is a good fit for their current opening, you can highlight both your personality and skill set.

Explain the Benefits of Hiring You

Your cover letter is not a place where you should brag about yourself, nor is it a place where you should be shy. The hiring manager should understand in your cover letter exactly why you deserve an interview. Give specific examples of how your efforts will help the company.

If you have trouble writing great things about yourself, try using someone else's point of view and writing from their point of view. What would a mentor, friend, previous employer or professional bio writer say about you?

Don't oversell your skills

When crafting your cover letters for each specific job, you want to convey only what is true about your professional and educational history.

Instead of exaggerating your skill set, highlight your relevant skills and experience. Then, as an added bonus, provide potential employers with a sample of your work via a personal website or online portfolio.