Sometimes, the most difficult aspect of creating a cover letter is actually deciding what you want to say and how you want to say it. You know that first impressions mean everything when finding a job, and in this case, the cover letter provides the first impression.
A good way to make sure you create the cover letter you want is to spend time prepping and organizing it before actually writing it. So to get you started, here are some great organizing tips:
Create a Cover Letter Prep Sheet
One way to get yourself organized when creating your cover letter is to mock up a prep sheet. On the prep sheet, you can create two columns: one that allows you to make a bullet-point list of the employer’s requirements for the job you want, and another list in column two that matches your specific qualifications to their requirements. While you won’t need to mention everything you list in the cover letter, doing so can help you prioritize those skills you feel are best to highlight when sculpting your story about why you’re best for the job.
After you’ve selected a few qualifications that match their requirements, on the back of your prep sheet, you can think of specific examples related to your qualifications that showcase your skills well. For example, if one of your qualifications is that you are highly proficient with your use of Adobe Illustrator, you can provide an example of how you trained an entire department over a 2-day period to use this program. After doing so well, you even received a leadership award. Creating in-depth explanations like this of your top skills can help you create that first impression you want.
Ask Yourself Some Important Questions
Another great way to prep and organize your cover letter is to ask yourself some important questions in relation to the job and your qualifications. For example, asking yourself “What does the reader want to know about me?” can help you think from the perspective of the employer. You can do this by imagining what you would want from a job applicant if they were coming to work in your company. What information could the employee give you to make you feel confident that he/she was qualified?
Another good question to ask yourself when organizing your cover letter is “What do I want the reader to know about me?” This question is slightly different than the first one because it requires that you think about specific qualities you’re bringing to the table. What makes you unique? What type of motivation and drive do you have that helps you beat out your competition? How well do you work with others? Answering these questions can help you give the reader more insight into who you are while still addressing the question at hand: Why are you qualified for this position?
The process of creating a cover letter can seem quite daunting. But if you take time to organize your thoughts through prepping, and ask yourself important questions along the way, you’ll find tha...
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