Make an Impression Before You’re Ever Seen
We’ve all heard the statistics about unemployment rates and what that means for job seekers today. Yes, it’s scary and legitimately so. But let’s face it, even in a slow economy you can find work.
Your mission is simple – if you choose to accept it. Get noticed. If this doesn’t happen, you won’t get the job. In fact, you probably won’t even get a response.
Today’s trend of applying for jobs on the fly with the push of a button, while convenient, is creating a troubling consequence: the cover letter is getting left behind. But if you’re among several hundred applying for that one golden opportunity, why would you ever doubt the importance of a cover letter? It is your chance to set the tone for how a company perceives you. Are you a math wizard? A Rhodes Scholar? A painter, a tuba player, or a cum laude college graduate? What you say and how you say it should leave the hiring manager wanting to learn more.
Customization is Clutch
Leave the cookie cutter, boxed mix and canned goods in the kitchen. You’ve got to take the time to start from scratch each time. Be sure you’ve read the job description and tailor your letter to the company and its specific need. Prove you’re an asset by showing how you will fit in and linking your skills/experience to the requirements of the job.
Adopt Page Personality
It’s not easy to turn one dimension into 3D with color, but that’s exactly what you should strive to do. Don’t assume your resume will do the heavy lifting. If you’re job seeking in a more creative field, consider a non-traditional format like a newspaper article or movie review. For a job in a business field, consider an earnings report summary format. Don’t get too gimmicky, but make it your priority to leave a lasting and intriguing impression.
Be Conversational
Informal doesn’t always mean unprofessional. We are an abbreviated society and there are text decoder books to prove it. If your cover letter needs an interpreter, that’s unprofessional. But on the flip side, if you think SAT words and rigid decorum is the failsafe approach, that’s wrong too. You will come off sounding stuffy and insincere. Your mission is to find the mid-point.
Appeal to Critics
If you’ve been out of the workforce for a while for family reasons, if you were laid off, if you’re changing careers or some other perceived red flag, head it off at the pass. You should use the cover letter to give honest answers to any questions before they can be asked and you should know the hiring manager is thinking them as well.
Proofread, Edit, then Proofread Again
How you present yourself on paper says a great deal about how you will represent in person. Misspelled words, formatting errors, incorrect company names or poor grammar give the impression of carelessness and lack of smarts. Thorough proofreading allows your content to shine through. Don’t give a hiring manager this reason to rule you out. Pay attention to detail.
The great cover letter debate continues to rage on. While it leaves room for lots of interpretation and conjecture, the reality is they are an absolute must. So by going undercover, you’re giving yourself the best possible chance to be seen.