Writing The Perfect Cover Letter To Get Your Dream Job

When you decide that you want to leave your current job and begin searching for something new, it can be a quite intimidating. First of all, you have to figure out what you want to do once you leave the position you are in, then you have to start the job hunt. Once you find a company you want to work for and a job that fits your skill set, you then have to embark on the seemingly impossible task of having to write a resume and cover letter.

When people think of cover letters, they most commonly think of a longer more comprehensive version of their resume. This makes us cringe a bit as this is truly the last thing you cover letter should be.  While you can absolutely list off some of your skills and experience in your cover letter, this is not the sole purpose. Covers letters are meant to be your opportunity to show the most passionate, charismatic and well-informed parts of yourself to a potential employer. Even while knowing this, does it seem as though the task of writing a cover letter is impossible? We get it. Which is why we have put together an in-depth guide to how to write a cover letter that will absolutely get you the job you want.

First things first: Contact Information

You don’t want to make your potential employee or a job recruiter dig through your resume or your cover letter if they want to get ahold of you.  Be sure that you put your name and contact information at the top of the cover letter, as well as at the top of your resume.

Greet the Reader

As we mentioned before, this is not a time to start listing off all of your job experience. When you first begin your letter, you want to address the reader. If you know who the recruiter or hiring manager is, it is completely fine to address them by name. On the other hand, if you are not sure who will be reading the letter, then simply begin with “To Whom It May Concern.”

Introduction Paragraph

There are several things that should never be left out of your introductory paragraph. First of all, you should have an opening line that stands out. Including a relevant anecdote, quote or fact will likely make a good impression.  You should also indicate that you know who the company is, what they care about and what they do. This is now the place that you can touch on past roles, experience, traits, and passions that you have that will make you the ideal candidate for the job.

Body Paragraph

In this portion of the letter, try to mirror the language in the job description. This will show the hiring manager that you are beyond qualified for the position you are applying for. Additionally, make sure that you are using concrete metrics that show the types of results you will achieve should you get the job. If you made your old company a ton of money with a process you developed or the team you led hit their goals consistently once you took your leadership position, make sure to mention these details.

Closing Paragraph

In the last paragraph, you should paraphrase what you have already described in the letter. Be clear about what your passion is and why you want the job you are applying for. Just make sure that you don’t plagiarize yourself. This will show that you lack creativity.

Need More Experience?

If you are in need of more experience in order to get your next dream job, be sure to enroll in a course or two at the Professional Development Center at Glendale Community College today!