What Makes A Cover Letter For Resume Stand Out?

23 September 2024

When job hunting, a standout resume is the first step in the door with a potential employer. But another component that should never be overlooked is the cover letter for the resume.

It’s your chance to show some personality in addition to your resume and tell a story.

Whether it is how and why you’ve made it to this point or why you are right for the candidacy.

Let’s run through some other resume tips and how they all fit together. Especially when you’re writing that ever-important cover letter for your next big opportunity.

Why A Cover Letter?

Before discussing structure and style, it’s worth considering why a cover letter is still essential to any job application.

While a resume or CV offers the facts about your experience and skills to date, the cover letter sets you apart. It sets the scene for who you are and why you’ll be perfect for the role.

1. A Strong Opening

At any given time, on average, there may be anywhere between 50 to 200 applications sent in for one advertised position.

So, how do you make your application shine while ensuring accuracy?

The best way to grab the reader at hello (or, indeed, their first sight of your application). How about a quick taste hinting at what they will soon discover?

Show them an enthusiastic interviewee brimming with excitement over the prospect of working with them.

2. Personalize & Make It Stand Out

One of the most important resume tips is never to be generic when writing a cover letter.

You want your cover letter for your resume to stand out!

Not sound like it was written by someone who submitted their application for every company advertised on the job boards.

Make sure you speak specifically about why you are interested in that job with that company.

Also, do some research before you apply for the job to get a feel for the type of company it is. Then, try incorporating similar values or beliefs about the industry into your cover letter.

For Example,

If the company you’re applying to is big on innovation and you’ve previously worked on a creative project, put it at the very start. It’ll make your cover letter more memorable.

“I am interested in applying for the Marketing Manager position at [Company Name]. I’m passionate about being able to tell creative stories and have developed and delivered some innovative campaigns. Which I feel would be a great fit for your team!”

3. Show, Don’t Just Tell

One of the most important resume tips when writing a cover letter is to support your claims with evidence.

Instead of saying, “I have strong conceptual skills,” give an example showing your leadership in action.

For Example,

“I oversaw leading a team of 10 to create a social media strategy that boosted engagement by 30% in 6 months. My direction helped the team to work together effectively.”

By giving specific examples, you don’t just make the hiring manager understand what you can do, but you also talk about your achievements.

4. Connect Daily Work To Job Title

Another great resume tip is to read the job posting closely and consider connections between your day-to-day experiences and what the company seeks. Now, highlight the same for your cover letter for your resume.

If the job description mentions that you need experience with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, you have it; mention it!

Don’t leave it up to the hiring manager to determine your qualifications.

For Example:

“I have worked with Salesforce for five years and know I can oversee and enhance CRM systems to facilitate customer engagement and business development.”

5. Don’t Just Paste Your CV

Your cover letter shouldn’t be a rehash of your CV!

Plus, recruiters get frustrated when they must read the same thing after reading your resume.

To take advantage of the ‘cover’ part of the cover letter. Yes, you need to use it as an opportunity to explain how you would benefit from an employer.

The best way to do this is not with complex and lengthy sentences but with clear and confident writing.

Let your cover letter show enthusiasm (a love, even) for the job.

For Example,

“I’ve always been impressed with [Company Name]’s reputation for sustainability, and amazingly. Your team is truly committed to innovation and the future.”

You can end it well with this!

“Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my experience and skills could contribute to your organizational goals. Please contact me at your convenience so that we can schedule a time to speak or meet.”

6. End It Well!

End your cover letter for your resume on a high note!

Politely let the employer know that you’ll be in contact to schedule an interview. Plus, don’t forget to mention how excited you are to apply for the position.

For Example:

“I would welcome the chance to speak with you further about how I could benefit [Company Name]. Thank you for your consideration. I hope to have the opportunity to contribute to your team.”

7. Proofread For Perfection

This is probably the most important part of writing a cover letter!

Keep it free from grammatical errors!

Typos and grammatical errors can make even the best-written cover letter appear sloppy and unprofessional!

One of the most basic yet frequently overlooked resume tips is double-checking your cover letter for typos. You want to show that you’re careful, and typos don’t give that impression!

Before you submit it, take the time to re-read your cover letter. Especially if it is a fresher cover letter. Get a friend or mentor to read it and provide feedback. A peer removal can always be useful in catching something that you missed.

7. Keep The Format Simple And Professional

Also, remember to pay attention to the formatting of your cover letter. Keep the contents on a single page and use spacing effectively.

In addition, maintain a professional tone while providing insight into your personality so that your letter leaves an employer wanting to learn more about you.

They shouldn’t lose track while reading huge paragraphs! That is a major buzz kill, and they might not even finish reading it!

At the top of the letter, include your name and address (alternatively, you can include your phone number/ email but not both), followed by the date and the recipient’s name and address.

If you can’t find this information easily, you can put yourself ahead of other applicants by addressing it properly: “To the Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern.”

Yes, (Before You Ask Again), It Is Important!

Never ignore the power of a cover letter for a resume. A resume is just data, but a cover letter is your chance to tell why you became the person you are today and why the position you’re applying for is the perfect next chapter in your career.

Many job seekers may think the cover letter is less important than the resume. However, writing a strong introduction makes it easier for the employer to connect with you and put your resume on top of the stack.

Employers won’t even look at your resume if they aren’t impressed with your cover letter.

So, consider it an opportunity to bridge your resume to an interview.

To show personality and excitement about the position and get them to want to know more about you!

It’s a process, so be patient.

Work on personalizing each one before sending it out, and spell-check everything!

If our tips got you at that job interview, don’t forget to check out the interview questions to prepare yourself better!

Read Also:

Deepanwita Dey

Deepanwita is a seasoned practitioner of ‘jumping the ship’. She started out her journey with literature and now holds a double graduation degree, one of which is in psychology. As a result, she is now using this skill to help confused job seekers to pick a direction. Given her academic background, her writing is laden with analytical analogies and deep research. As one of Content Rally’s most regular contributors, readers can find a sense of confidence in her writing.

View all posts

How To Become A Speech Language Pathologist? Get To Know Here!

Speech Pathologists can easily identify speech and swallowing issues, which would help find several impactful treatment methods. A speech pathologist can specialize in several domains, such as helping adults or children. Or else they can focus on the specific speech-language disorder. Many candidates like you want to know how to become a speech language pathologist. Well, their intentions are always to achieve goals. Besides, you also must be passionate about your career, especially in health care. In this case, you must also improve your communication skills, which might help you become a speech pathologist. Recently, a speech pathologist received intensive education and training to diagnose and treat patients with speech impediments. It means you can easily afford to complete your education for this career, like a nurse anesthetist. Even more, it would help if you learned how to pursue your career to decide whether it is right for you easily. How to Become a Speech Language Pathologist? Becoming a speech pathologist means you are going through the practice of appraising, evaluating, and treating children and other adult patients. Below, I will discuss how to become a speech language pathologist. 1) Earn A Bachelor's Degree The first step in beginning your career path is to earn a bachelor's degree. In this case, an ardent speech pathologist can get a bachelor's degree in communication disorders and communication sciences. This kind of program degree includes research methodology, statistics, linguistics, language disorders, and so on in the child and the anatomy of hearing and speech mechanism issues. Apart from that, you might earn your undergraduate degree in a subject such as English, psychology education, or linguistics like you must need to earn for pursuing the data scientist career. 2) Obtain A Master's Degree In Speech Language Pathology Once you earn a bachelor's degree, you can pursue your master's degree in speech language pathology. By selecting the graduate degree program, you must ensure its accreditation from the American Speech Hearing Association. This type of master's degree involves practical clinical hours under the administration of a licensed speech pathologist. In this case, you would be getting experience working with patients. The requirements for these practical hours vary from state to state, ranging from 300 to 375. 3) Complete The Post-Graduate Fellowship You can apply for the post-graduate fellowship once you hold your graduate and undergraduate degrees. In this case, licensure is necessary for pursuing your career as a speech language pathologist likewise you must be required to get the license to pursue your career as an artificial intelligence architect. This fellowship program is the phase of practical training a candidate can complete under the mentorship and supervision of an ASHA-certified and licensed speech pathologist. Your state requires you to acquire a temporary one-year license to finish your fellowship. You can also apply for this license, and then you can easily garner a copy of your master's degree and submit the clinical fellowship plan. 4) Take The National Exam in Speech-language Pathology Once you complete your undergraduate and graduate fellowship programs, you can apply for the post-graduate fellowship. This is necessary for licensure. This fellowship is the phase of several other practical trainings that a candidate can complete under the mentorship and supervision of an ASHA-certified. There are other requirements which vary from state to state. However, most other states need a fellowship duration of 36 weeks (about 8 and a half months) or 1260 hours (about one month, three weeks), with 80% of this time. In this case, your state might require that you obtain a temporary one-year license to finish your fellowship. If you are interested in applying for this license, you can garner a copy of your master's degree and then submit the clinical fellowship with your supervisor's signature. 5) Apply For the Certification Multiple states require speech pathologists. In this case, you must gain a certificate of clinical competency in speech-language pathology. You can also apply for this certificate. It happens after you finish your master's degree successfully. Once you receive the certificate, then, you must expect to take at least 30 hours to continue these education courses, which happens every three years to maintain this. 6) Obtain The License to Practice in Your State Once you are done with the certificate, you obtain the license to practice in your state. Eventually, it involves submitting your exam results, a criminal background check, and an application fee. Other states have the exact requirements, such as passing the jurisprudence exam on the state's laws and rules. In this case, you must keep your license as a speech pathologist. After that, you can complete the necessary renewal requirements your state outlines. 7) Prepare Your Resume and Cover Letter You must apply for the speech pathologist job once you can obtain the necessary education, license, and qualifications. You must begin seeking a job by writing a cover letter and resume. In this case, it includes education and an outline of the clinical experience you gained through your education. What Are the Reasons for Becoming a Speech Pathologist? If you want to become a speech pathologist, it often requires several years of education. However, there are still multiple benefits to working as a pathologist. Below, I will discuss the reasons for becoming a speech pathologist. 1) Gain Options for Employment Did you know that speech pathologists can work in several environments? On the other hand, this can enhance your employment options. For example, some speech pathologists work in hospitals, others work independently with clients, or you can start their practices. There are some locations where a speech pathologist can work, such as: Rehabilitation locations Hospitals Residential Healthcare locations Universities and Colleges Elementary Schools Preschools Private Facilities State Government Agencies Corporate research facilities, and so on. 2) Earn the Competitive Salary Another significant factor in becoming a speech pathologist is your salary. In this case, a speech pathologist's earnings depend on their experiences, education, and performance. The average national salary for a speech pathologist is around $111,685 per year. Other factors include the speech pathologist's location, training, etc. 3) Help Others Multiple speech pathologists can work closely with children and help them overcome speech disorders. Somehow, it would become difficult to communicate with others. Aside from that, in this position, you could help others develop their social skills, and you can quickly improve the quality of your life. Speech pathologists can significantly affect their clients and promptly enhance their lives by developing speech and swallowing challenges. 4) Specialize In Several Years It depends on your interests, and here, you can specialize in a particular area of speech pathology. Some pathologists can choose to work exclusively with adults and children. In this case, they can focus on several areas of speech pathology, such as language disorders or other mechanical issues. There are other specialties and areas of speech pathologists who might consider such things as: Travel Speech Adult Speech Cognition Communication Pathology Management Pediatric speech and so many others. 5) Develop Your Professional Skills Speech pathologists can work with multiple individuals, which allows them to learn more about other disorders. Moreover, it will also help you to develop your professional skill sets and help you understand other potential treatments and disorders. As the field continues to grow, you can learn about other improving techniques for treatment. In this way, you can improve your research skills. 6) Work With Unique Patients Being a speech pathologist, you can get the opportunity to work with other clients for several years of life. This includes learning English for the first time—especially for those facing several communication challenges and seeking treatments for lifelong conditions. It makes this easier for pathologists who want to meet new people and interact with those with exciting backgrounds. If you enjoy learning more about new people, ensure you have built a diversified network. In particular, it is one of the most significant career choices for those pursuing careers in a healthcare center. 7) Research In the Laboratory If you want to become a speech pathologist, you will get an excellent opportunity to work with clients throughout your career. On the other hand, it will make it easier for other pathologists who want to meet new people and interact with people from a diverse and exciting background. If you want to enjoy learning more about new people and if you want to build your network, then pursuing your career as a speech pathologist is a viable choice. 8) Consider Self-employment There are several types of speech pathologists. In this case, one kind of speech pathologist wants to work in hospitals, and another wants to work independently. Speech pathologists can enjoy controlling their schedules and other workloads and enjoy working independently as speech pathologists. Being a speech pathologist, you might open your private practice and maintain your clients and other professionals. In Conclusion I have discussed everything about how to become a speech language pathologist above in this article. As a speech pathologist, you can quickly identify speech and swallowing issues and help them find effective methods. Aside from that, being a speech pathologist, you must have some significant regular responsibilities to help you pursue your career. I hope you find this article helpful. If you have queries, then comment below! Learn More About: What Soft Skills Do You Need As A Live-in Carer? Speech Therapists Unlocking The Power Of Communication The Road To Psychiatry: A Timeline Of Education And Training

Is Consumer Durables a Good Career Path In 2021?

Is consumer durables a good career path in 2021? How many jobs are available in consumer durables? If you are searching for these queries, you are reading the correct blog! Choosing your career path in consumer durables can be your best decision because it is highly rewarding, and the future is truly bright. Consumers take irregular career paths, and they regret the same in the long run. This is the reason why you need to be very focused and alert while choosing any career path. Some of the other top career paths can be precious metals, basic industries, energy utilities, public utilities, hotels/resorts, etc. Consumer Durables - What You Need To Know? Consumer durables are also known as durable goods or just durables, are a category of consumer goods that do not wear out instantly and thus, do not have to be bought frequently. These are known as “durable goods” as they tend to last for more than three years and are the opposite of consumer non-durables goods. Hence, in a more simple term, commodities that are purchased repeatedly over a prolonged period are known as consumer durables. Examples of consumer durable are toys, medical equipment, jewelry, sports equipment, furniture tools, consumer electronics, books, automobiles, and much more. Shoes and clothing are examples of semi-durable goods. Is Consumer Durables A Good Career Path In 2021? The answer to this question is Yes. Consumer durables are a good career path in 2021. Most of the durable consumer companies are operating at 100% production capacity. Actually, consumer durables consist of particular features that set them apart from other consumption expenditure items. Besides, in the European System of Accounts, consumer durables are defined as durable goods utilized by many households. This sector is in huge demand at present, and even non-consumer durables are a good career path and you should know this at the earliest. How Many Jobs Are Available In Consumer Durables? There are many jobs available in consumer durables, and you must be aware of the same if you are willing to grow your career in this field. Now, let’s have a look at the best-paying jobs in consumer durables. The following data is derived from LinkedIn. i). Category Manager The Category Manager is responsible for determining the positioning of a product category. Here, you need to increase visibility, partner with Supply Chain to place appropriate orders, build relationships with vendors, develop exit strategies, devise long-term development strategies, analyze data to consumer trends and the industry. ii). Sales Operations Specialists Sales Operations Specialists is one of the top jobs available in consumer durables. Here, you need to support all the stages of the sales cycle and provide high-quality support as a part of consumer services. You need to maintain a clear process for the sales team, accurate data reporting dashboards, prepare sales documents, and also handle all CRM records, deals, and contacts with input from the sales team. iii). Product Development Manager To get the role of Product Manager, you must have a bachelor’s degree in Business or Marketing. At the same time, you must possess good communication and writing skills. Besides, your main role will be managing pricing and promotions, utilize strong financial acumen, implement several activities and strategies, and build relationships with customers. iv). Events Manager The Events Manager works closely with corporate communications teams on activation opportunities and related events. You need to manage budgets and track all consumers. Moreover, you need to identify opportunities for participation in key consumer events that will increase your exposure. At the same time, you need to build marketing initiatives via consumer-facing marketing activations. v). Ecommerce Analysts The Ecommerce Analysts are responsible for creating pathways to deliver profitable growth and annual revenue. You need to facilitate alignment across all eCommerce customers. You need to manage all the eCommerce content testing roadmap for businesses, collaborate with marketing and product development, monitor trends in user behavior, and maintain a consistent flow of the work. The Final Thoughts Is consumer durables a good career path in 2021? Now, you know why it is regarded as a good career path among millennials in the USA and also other countries. You can grow your career in this particular field and acquired the skills that can be useful in other sectors as well. Read Also: Is Capital Goods A Good Career Path Is Business Services A Good Career Path Is Packaged Foods A Good Career Path Is Public Utilities A Good Career Path Is Photography A Good Career Path? Is Homebuilding A Good Career Path In 2021? Is Major Banks A Good Career Path In 2021? Is Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores A Good Career Path Is Electric Utilities Central A Good Career Path In 2021? Is Major Pharmaceuticals A Good Career Path In 2021?

The significance of face-to-face networking for freelancers

Face-to-face networking is one of the most important communication tools that we have in the modern world. The fact that digital communication is taking over all the aspects of human life does not imply that offline communication has completely lost its place in the modern world. As a freelancer, you can develop a brand and find new clients with the help of networking. The best way to do this is by going into the offline world of live meetings with people. This article puts forward the importance of face-to-face networking for freelancers. Intro for a self-presentation : You have a limited amount of time to provide the right impression on people. You will show your confidence, mood, and expertise through face-to-face communication. What you need is a confident handshake, a smile, and eye contact. It’s good to prepare a presentation that will last from 15 to 30 seconds. Your goal is to attract the listener’s attention to your personality and your project. The most important thing is to make sure that the presentation is precise. Active listening : It’s absolutely ok if you have some selfish expectations for networking. However, you should realize that you should give people something valuable if you want to get something from them. One of such things is active listening. You will demonstrate that you really care about what someone else is saying to you. Active listening comprises your facial expression, your body position and asking questions. You need to make good use of active listening if you want to take face-to-face networking for freelancers to the next level. A good portfolio : Just take it with you to give to other people. If your design site, just prints the best variants. If you ask people to go to a website where they can see your portfolio, they will probably forget about you the next day. It’s easy to do and you will have a much greater effect than just giving your business cards to everyone. Make sure you make a rich portfolio that will showcase your abilities. The portfolio is important because it communicates your capabilities to your target audience. A good follow-up : One single meeting won’t give you the result that you aim at. You cannot build a long-lasting relationship at once. One of the easiest ways to keep in touch is sending an email within 24 to 26 hours after the meeting. You can write what you liked and write something that relates to the words you have heard from this very person. Follow-up plays a critical role when it comes to networking for freelancers. It’s the only way to make sure that efforts bear the right fruits. Get the most from networking : If you see that there’s a chance to attract a new client or an important person for you, don’t lose it. You cannot predict the result of a new connection, so do your best to get the most from each. You can get exhausted from so many new connections, but we think that it’s worth trying. So, organize a meeting, do the follow-up and keep in touch to reach the goals that you have. In summary, face to face networking is highly significant for freelancers. The most important thing is to put in the right strategies that will bear the expected results. Read More : Five Reasons Why Freelancers Should Use A Coworking Space Role of supply chain management in business

What Makes A Cover Letter For Resume Stand Out?