- Guest Contributor
- February 17, 2022
A cover letter is a response to a vacancy that has a certain structure. If handled well, having a cover letter can help you land a job interview. Writing can be daunting for some jobseekers. So, to make things easier, here are the 3 blocks of a cover letter, as well as 7 basic rules you should cover while writing yours.
The 3 Blocks of a Cover Letter
Greetings
It is essential to address the HR specialist or the company’s director personally when possible. If specific names are unknown and you cannot find this information, you can keep it general. The beginning of your cover letter should also briefly introduce who you are and why you are contacting them. Don’t spend too much time on your greetings, but make sure to include some pleasantries before jumping into the meat of the letter.
The Main Part
This is the part where you win them over. The main part of your cover letter indicates what position you are applying for. and what exactly attracted you to this vacancy. You can also add brief experiences and achievements that are not indicated in the resume, or expand upon points in your resume. Focus on how you can be useful for the company. Be specific when possible.
Conclusion
At the end of the letter, thank the company for their time and encourage the employer to take action (“Looking forward to feedback!”, “I would be glad to meet you!”, etc.). Be sure to include your contacts information.
At first glance, nothing about writing a cover letter is all that difficult. But certain rules and guidelines should be considered when writing a cover letter. They will help distinguish it from the general mass of letters from applicants. So let’s look at them in more detail.
7 Basic Rules for Writing a Cover Letter
You should fit the maximum amount of useful information into the minimum volume. At the same time, present your ideas in an attractive way for the employer. It is more than realistic to do this if follow a few rules that already work.
Rule #1
Keep it an adequate size. Short, impersonal letters won’t catch attention. On the other hand, lengthy and irrelevant letters risk being unread to the end. Instead, aim for 2 to 3 paragraphs and avoid over-explaining or underselling yourself.
Rule #2
Stick to a certain style. Before you start writing a letter, study the company’s style. Looking at the company’s website or social media should give you a feel for their voice. You can use keywords or phrases that appear on their website. Or, you can incorporate the type of writing they utilize (formal and professional in some cases, familiar and casual in others).
Rule #3
Only include specific and relevant information. You can talk for a long time about your stress resistance. Or you can give a specific example of when you showed this quality. If you’re talking about achievements, indicate the exact indicators that will be of interest to the future employer.
Rule #4
When applicable, include your references. There is such a section in the resume, but getting ahead of the recruiter and providing them before reading your dossier can also be helpful.
Rule #5
Show the reader that you understand the job opening. Candidates are often in a hurry to apply for a vacant position and do not read the advertisement to the end. Highlight what is important to the employer. For example, if they are hiring for a photographer and you have experience in the field of photo retouch, this is the place to mention that.
Rule #6
Pay attention to the design. Of course, you can format the letter in a standard way. But look for little ways you can appropriately add your own style. Use an easy-to-read font, do not choose bright colors. The design should be restrained and concise. Make sure you’re using good margin space and are splitting up your text into paragraphs, instead of one giant block.
Rule #7
Check the text for errors. If you doubt your attentiveness and knowledge of the language, use the appropriate services. Don’t let a typo or wrong word hurt your chances of leaving a great impression.
About the Author: James Baxter is professional ghostwriter, writing expert at review service Best Writers Online and blogger, who loves sharing his experience and knowledge with readers. He is especially interested in marketing, blogging and IT. James is always happy to visit different places and meet new people there.
