Studies show recruiters receive an average of 250 cover letters for each job position, and they spend an average of five to seven seconds looking at each one. To be effective, you must make a connection in your cover letter and do it quickly. Here are best practices to accomplish that quick connection and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Show the Company That You Understand Who They Want to Hire
Being specific is essential. Establish you’re the person they want to hire and explain why you’re a good fit. To accomplish this, use information from the job description.
Look for key details and mention how your knowledge and expertise make you the right fit. Search for information regarding company culture (e.g. teamwork skills) and incorporate those details in your cover letter. Often, this will give you an edge over other applicants.
Make a Connection
Share your story and give your cover letter a bit of personality. Career consulting specialist, Alyssa Gelbard offers some great advice. “It’s best to err on the more formal side, but you don’t need to sound boring or robotic. Let your passion and enthusiasm come through, as long as it doesn’t sound fluffy.”
Show That You Have Relevant Skills That Will Make Them More Successful
At the end of the day, a recruiter wants to know the candidate they choose will be an asset to their company. They want to know whomever they hire will be a contributor and will improve their bottom line. You can move to the top of the pile by focusing on the primary skills a recruiter is looking for and making it clear you possess those skills.
Go back to the job description and identify the skills that appear to be most important. Then show you have the relevant skills for the job and let them serve as your focal point.
You only have a small window of time to impress a recruiter with your cover letter. Following these three tips should help you make a connection and grab their attention. With any luck, this will help propel you to the next stage of the hiring process.
Looking for help with your job search? Get in touch with Axiom Staffing Group today.