The Art of the Cover Letter

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Modern PowerPoint Presentation
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The Art of the Cover Letter
An integral part of the job application writing
process is a cover letter. Your cover letter is
usually the first thing your prospective employer
looks at and first impression last, so it makes
sense that the really good job application
writers really nail them. Employers sometimes
have hundreds of job applications, cover letters
and resumes to wade through, so you have to make
yours stand out. To help you make the right
first impressions, heres our list of tips for
writing a superior cover letter as a part of your
overall job application
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To write a superior cover letter
4. Dont regurgitate your resume
1. Tailor your cover letter to suit the position
2. Start Strong
3. Be memorable
5. Dont apologise for the skills you dont bring
6. Have someone check it
7. Get some professional help
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Tailor your cover letter to suit the position
Are you in the habit of turning in the same cover
letter for every position you apply for? Lose
this habit! Different jobs require different
skills. Tailor each cover letter you write to
highlight the skills and experiences you have
specific to that position. No two of your cover
letters should be the same! Job application
writing is all about being unique and different,
putting forward something that stands out so an
employer wont want to let you slip by. Cover
letters are no exception to this rule.
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Start Strong
Lets be realistic. There is a good chance that
your potential employer is only going to look at
the first few sentences of your cover letter, so
start with the best material and cut to the
chase. Dont waste a sentence introducing
yourself. Launch straight in! Instead of
starting with, I am writing to apply for this
position, Consider starting with something about
your passion, your love for the company youre
applying for, or a positive attribute or
accomplishment that you have. For example, My
passion for animals began at aged 12 when our
golden retriever, Daisy, first entered our lives.
From that moment, the choice to enter the
veterinary field seemed like the only logical
one. That is why joining a team of like-minded
individuals at Acme Veterinary Services instantly
appealed to me. Dont you think after reading
100 almost identical first lines, this one would
stand out? Which brings us to the next tip
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Be memorable
If you google job application writing, resume
writing or cover letter writing you will find
there are many, many templates. Ditch them!.
Avoid clichés. Concentrate on standing out more
than keeping the rules of cover letter writing.
Have some fun. Be real, honest and sincere.
Dont be afraid to use story, even humour (if
youre good at it!) Also, make sure your cover
letter is visually appealing. Size 12 Times New
Roman font might put your potential employer to
sleep. At the same time, dont got too far! You
dont want it to look like a ransom note!
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Dont regurgitate your resume
Your cover letter should not be just another
version of your resume. Resume writing involves
displaying your qualifications, employment
history, professional development and referees.
Use your cover letter to Instead, show specific
evidence and examples of what you can bring to
the company. Select a few key skills that you
really want to stand out and give examples of
when you have demonstrated these skills in your
past work history. Also, focus on what you can
add to the company, not what the company can
offer you.
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Dont apologise for the skills you dont bring
Job application writing is not about apologizing
for the skills you dont have. When you dont
feel like you meet all the job requirements, you
may be tempted to use lines like, Despite my
limited experience or Although I am new to
But, instead of drawing attention to your
weaknesses, try to focus on the skills you do
have. Never apologise!
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Have someone check it
Get a second opinion on your cover letter, in
fact on your entire job application, resume,
selection criteria and all. Nothing undermines
your credibility faster than poor grammar,
spelling and punctuation. Your proof-reading
friend can give you feedback not only on your
grasp of basic English, but also on the flow of
your letter and how well it sells your skills and
experience to your prospective employer.
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Get some professional help
If youre not having much luck with job
applications, then consider getting some
professional help. Red Tape Busters are
specialists in job application writing and resume
writing and can help you produce a resume, cover
letter and/or selection criteria that gets
noticed Visit http//www.redtapebusters.com for
more information. We are specialists in providing
the following services
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