By Communication Consultant Lili Tang (Accounting and BIS, ’22)
During the job application process, companies often will ask us for a cover letter to accompany our resume. You might be wondering: “What is a cover letter after all? Does it really matter?”
Cover letters are one-page documents that describe additional information about personal skills and relevant experiences for a particular position. According to a survey conducted by a resume-building software provider, 83% of recruiters think cover letters help them in hiring decisions. Having a cover letter can not only support the content of your resume, but also demonstrate your extra effort if you send one for a position that doesn’t require it. Thus, if you wish to stand out in the sea of applicants, having a strong cover letter will be important!
In order to express your enthusiasm and strong interest in the position, here are some key contents you should include in your cover letter:
- Express your desire to work at that company
(What specific parts attract you, why do you want to apply for that job, etc.?) - Relate your experiences and skills with the job requirements
(Share anecdotes about past internships, leadership roles, community service, etc.) - Show your excitement about connecting with the company further
(Say, “I look forward to hearing from you,” “I am eager to contribute to this position and learn more opportunities down the road,” etc.)
One more consideration: How would you feel if a Christmas tree has no decorations at all? A plain cover letter is like an undecorated tree. Hence, it is important to add “decorations” to make the letter more special and meaningful. Based on suggestions from OfficeTeam, there are several tips you could implement:
- Personalize your content, starting by addressing the letter to specific people who are recipients
- Keep the flow consistent and concise
- Avoid mistakes regarding grammar, tone, and typos
- Remember to attach the letter in online job boards or in the email
This article offers an overview of writing a cover letter, and you could always conduct more research and take a look at some structures and examples. We hope you know how to start writing your own cover letter now! But fundamentally, remember to stay confident and continue to improve yourself throughout the learning process. If you have any questions regarding cover letters, do not hesitate to email or schedule an appointment with us!
Get information and resources about our center at The Philip Rauch Center for Business Communication.