| Understanding the role of a cover letter | | | | identify with. |
| Imagine you were applying to Harvard University and | | | | This is another opportunity to show how |
| you filled out all parts of the application, but you | | | | knowledgeable you are about the industry. Convince |
| skipped the personal statements because you simply | | | | employers that you are very familiar with the |
| "didn't feel like it". It is almost guaranteed that you | | | | industry. However, avoid using jargons which you |
| will not be admitted no matter how good your GPA | | | | don't fully understand for the sake of saving yourself |
| or test scores are. | | | | from embarrassment when you do get that |
| Now imagine you are applying for your dream job | | | | interview. |
| and the thought of writing a cover letter is not only | | | | 5) Include thought provoking points. |
| dreadful, but also you "don't feel like" writing endlessly | | | | Pose a question or a thought that will cause |
| for each job you are applying to. The fact that you | | | | employers to feel that discussion with you would be |
| did not supply a cover letter along with your resume | | | | worthwhile even if they had overlooked your |
| will reflect your lack of interest in their firm. | | | | resume. |
| Therefore, it is imperative that you write a | | | | 6) No room for grammar and spelling mistakes. |
| thoughtful cover letter tailored to each job | | | | No matter how great your content is, if you spell a |
| description. | | | | word wrong or have a silly grammar mistake, this |
| • Cover letter writing tips | | | | could potentially jeopardize your entire application |
| 1) Address the person you are applying to. | | | | process. This will be a turnoff in the eyes of your |
| If you know who will be reviewing your cover letter, | | | | potential employer as it reflects your lack of focus |
| make sure to address the person who can hire you. | | | | and interest for their firm. |
| Make sure the name is spelled correctly and find out | | | | Revise! |
| which formality should be used: "Mr.," "Mrs.," Ms.," | | | | No matter how well you think you've written, |
| "Dr.," etc. | | | | chances are, it will be infested with grammar, |
| 2) Be personable. | | | | punctuation, and spelling errors. Part of your revision |
| You do not want to sound mechanical in your cover | | | | may even involve deleting parts of your cover letter! |
| letter. Your resume will sound mechanical enough so | | | | You may also need to write more to make your |
| no need to bring redundancy. Employers are not only | | | | paragraphs look more transitioned and easy to follow. |
| looking for employees who are fit for the job, but | | | | Also be mindful of choice of words, content and |
| also who can get along with colleagues on their | | | | structural issues, and overall style and that the |
| desks. | | | | parameter of your cover letter fits the standard. |
| 3) Display your knowledge about the firm and the | | | | Revising is not an easy task. It is not only time |
| industry. | | | | consuming, but also the chance of improving |
| This is your chance to impress how much research | | | | something you've written yourself is low. Have your |
| you've done about the company and that you are | | | | cover letter professionally edited. Whether it is for a |
| passionate about the position. Do not exaggerate | | | | college application, academic purpose, or for a |
| your love for the company such as "It has always | | | | business presentation speech, a single undetected |
| been my dream to join..." or "All I ever wanted to do | | | | error can jeopardize your chance of admission, your |
| in my life was..." Be reasonable and modest. | | | | GPA, or acceptance by your audience. |
| 4) Use relevant terms that the employer may | | | | |