Cover letters: We know you were thinking it – let it out. This usually isn't most people's favorite step of the job application process.
But hopefully, after this module, your perspective on cover letters will have shifted a bit from, "Eek! This feels like a tedious school assignment," to "Nice! This is a great way for me to showcase my personality and skills."
So let's do it! Let's tackle the dreaded cover letter.
What is a cover letter?
Let's backtrack a bit and remember the days when job applications were submitted by mail. Yes, you would assemble a packet of the relevant information and mail it to the employer. The cover letter was exactly that - a letter that started the packet of information to give the person who was about to read it some insight as to what was inside.
In today's world, cover letters are submitted electronically. And even a further evolution from that, cover letters could be simply the email you send to a recruiter or a short LinkedIn message you craft for reach outs. It depends on the role and the requirements, but even though the format looks different, the content is still very important.
Why are cover letters important?
Your resume is typically the first place recruiters and hiring managers look to understand who you are and if you are a good fit for the role. The problem is that resumes tend to follow a fairly structured format and leave little room for creativity and context.
Maybe your experience is atypical. Maybe you are making a drastic industry switch. Maybe you have a gap in your experience that has a great story around it. How do you tell it within the confines of your resume? That's where cover letters come in. This is your chance to provide the context that's missing and tell a quick bit of your story.
So how do you write a powerful cover letter?
The first step is to thoroughly understand the job requirements and what the company is looking for in this role. Next you want to connect the dots between your experience and the capabilities they are looking for. Then be unique! This is an opportunity to stand out.
In this module you will:
- Understand in detail what are the requirements for your target job(s)
- Craft your cover letter outline
- Prepare to write a first draft for one position in particular
- Learn pro tips and mistakes to avoid when writing your cover letters
This module will take roughly 30-45 minutes. The amount of additional time will of course depend upon the time you require to write and brainstorm.
As always, if you have any questions or are feeling stuck in any areas, write them down and bring them to your coach at your next session.
