You’ve done it. You crafted a resume that properly summarizes your skills and experience and tailored it to the job you are applying to. But sending your resume without a cover letter is like forgetting a beverage with your meal. A cover letter complements your resume, and most hiring managers today won’t accept job applications that do not include a cover letter. But creating a resume cover letter can be challenging. Many people don’t know where to start. Cover letters must be short, to the point and get the immediate attention of hiring managers. Here is how to create an attention grabbing cover letter, along with a sample cover letter you can download and use to help create your own:
1) Make it Brief
When creating a resume cover letter, there are several key elements you must address. But don’t make the cover letter longer than four or five paragraphs (and no more than one page). Remember, your resume contains your work history and skills. An attention grabbing cover letter will hint to what is in your resume so the hiring manager will want to read it.
2) Get Creative with Your Opening
When you open the letter, you should immediately address what interests you about the job and company, and why you are a good fit. An attention grabbing cover letter doesn’t open with bland statements such as “My name is__ and I am applying to the __ job opening you have available. “ Employers want someone who is passionate about the role, as well as qualified. So go beyond this and open with a statement such as “Several years ago I landed an internship at an insurance company that gave me the opportunity to work with customers who seemed to be falling through the cracks of the system. Ever since then I’ve wanted to make a difference in the lives of customers such as these, which made me especially excited when I saw the Customer Experience Manager opening at your company.” This shows that you have experience along with passion, which are the most important elements of an attention grabbing cover letter.
3) Do Your Research
When creating a resume cover letter, be sure to demonstrate your knowledge of the job, the industry and the company. Find out what problems the company is having and how you can help solve them. Talk about recent events or changes that have taken place in the industry and the effects they have had on how business needs to be done. Understand as much as you can about the company’s culture and show how your own values and personality are a match.
4) Make an Impression
Show how your experience and skills are a match for the company’s needs. For a truly attention grabbing cover letter that is sure to keep hiring managers reading, give a relevant example or two from past jobs of how you delivered impressive results and made a difference. If you can, you can further convince hiring managers of your abilities by including a recommendation from someone in your professional network.
5) Close with a Personal Statement
When closing an attention grabbing cover letter, leave the hiring manager with a quote they aren’t likely to forget that reflects your personal brand. Consider something like “A successful insurance company makes their customers feel safe. I am driven to bringing every customer that calls the security of knowing I have their best interests at heart.”
To give you an even better idea of how your cover letter should look and sound, below is a sample cover letter that includes the elements discussed above. Download it today and start creating an attention grabbing resume cover letter that will get you ahead of the competition in your job search.
Author: Jessica Cody
Jessica Cody, a native of Fairfield County, Connecticut, has a background in online marketing and public relations. Currently, she works at VHMNetwork LLC in the role of Marketing Analyst. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where she studied Journalism and Political Science. She is also an avid runner with a passion for the outdoors.
