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Hiring
managers routinely receive responses from hundreds,
perhaps thousands, of applicants for any given job.
To avoid having your resume sink in this sea of
paper, it's imperative to write a cover letter that
stands out from the crowd and makes a good first
impression.
A
compelling cover letter that follows five essential
rules will convince a hiring manager to read an
applicant's resume.
Rule #1 -- Appearance
The
resume and cover letter must be aesthetically
pleasing and consistent in appearance. This would
include using the same heading and fonts in each,
both produced on a high-quality printer and paper
(if documents are being "snail-mailed"). Save the
designer stationery and stylish fonts for writing
letters to friends. A professional employment
package never sets a casual tone.
Rule #2 - Target Your Audience
Always
use the hiring manager's name in the salutation. If
the contact's name isn't provided in the job
posting, a bit of Internet research or a
well-structured phone call can produce results. In
using the contact's name, the cover letter is
personalized, while also showing the applicant's
interest in the company. Remember, a letter
addressed "Dear Sir or Madam" or worse, "To Whom It
May Concern," has the same impact as one addressed
"Dear Occupant."
Rule #3 - A Strong Opening
A
dynamic opening paragraph is essential to capture
and retain a hiring manager's interest. Pared down
to basics, for a quick and effective read, it should
include a reference to the position sought and a
brief statement as to why the applicant feels
qualified to fill the job. Emphasis should always be
placed on what the applicant can do for the targeted
company, while also providing quantifiable proof as
to why this is true.
Rule #4 - Showcasing Accomplishments
Include
a bulleted area to emphasize accomplishments
pertinent to the targeted job. Not only does this
break up large blocks of text that a hiring manager
might find daunting, but it also draws the eye
towards the most important part of the cover letter
-- what the applicant has to offer.
Rule #5 - A Proactive Closing
Always
initiate further action at the end of a cover
letter. A proactive closing indicates that the
applicant will call within a few days to see if a
time might be scheduled to meet. To wait for a
hiring manager to take that first step is to risk
losing the opportunity to another candidate.
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