Now that you’ve looked into building your network, you need
to develop your communications in order to engage those key leads.
In this step, you’ll explore how to tell your story through
a cover letter and CV, and how to best communicate via email.
Cover letter
One of the most common mistakes people make is writing their
cover letter as a summary of their CV. You need to remember that recruiters
receive large amounts of cover letters. They don’t want to read about where you
went to school; what they want to know is where your school experiences have
taken you.
The cover letter is an opportunity for you to tell your
story on your terms, and for you to share the aspects of yourself that you want
your future employer to know.
Below are seven tips to consider for your cover letter:
1. Create a tailored version for each application
Whilst some of the content you include about yourself will
always be relevant, make sure you’re addressing the specifics of the job you’re
applying for. Share why you’re excited about the role.
2. Address it to the hiring/recruiting manager
Where possible, try to address your letter to the
hiring/recruiting manager using their name. It shows that you’ve taken the time
to get to know who will be reading your cover letter, and that you’re invested
in applying for this role.
3. Explore your CV in more detail
The hiring/recruiting manager now knows the facts, so go
deeper into what you have learned from past experiences. Highlight the most
relevant examples to the role you’re applying for. Don’t apologise for skills
you may not have. Instead, focus on those you do have and those that are
transferable.
4. State what can you do for the company
The company knows this role will be a great experience for
you. What they want to know is what you’re going to do for them. Think about
where there are areas for improvement and what you can bring to those areas.
Where possible, include numbers to demonstrate how you made a measurable impact
at companies you have previously worked with, or for.
5. Vary the format and tone of voice as appropriate
Some companies will prefer a traditional format for a cover
letter. However, there are start-ups and creative fields where a video, story
layout or bullet points might work better to convey your story. Browse their
website, employer profiles, company blog or anything that can help you to
understand their company ‘voice’ better.
6. Include a strong finish
This is your last opportunity to impress. You can do this by
including a strong closing sentence that emphasises your excitement and
passion, and states why you’d be a great addition to the company.
7. Ask a friend to read it
Having another perspective from someone who knows you well
is a great final step. Your friends, family and former colleagues will be able
to add insight on other attributes you may have overlooked.
First impressions count, so you want to make sure your
letter is well formatted, with correct grammar and spelling. Make sure that the
content is clear, concise and relevant. This is your opportunity to share all
the facts and elements that make you who you are. Show why you are the perfect
candidate for each position you apply for.
Email
Email is still the most widely used tool for formal written
communication across businesses and companies. When used in a work context, it
is also a reflection of you professionally.
You should always try to ensure the following, particularly
when reaching out to potential employers:
- Relevance:
Always make sure you include a subject line that is relevant to the
content of your message, and keep it concise.
- Content:
Think about whether what you’re including is to the point, clear and
understandable. Begin your email with context, with an introduction of
what you’re writing about and why. This will help you to avoid
miscommunication. At the end, add what outcome you are expecting or hoping
for.
- Tone
and language: An email is a reflection of your professional tone and
language. Words can easily be misconstrued over email, so you need to make
sure you choose your words well, and use correct spelling, punctuation and
grammar.
CV
Your CV is the opportunity to lay out all the necessary and
relevant content of your education, experience and skills. It needs to be well
formatted and the content needs to be crisp, clear and concise.
The most important points to include in a CV are as follows:
- Contact
details and a profile (a statement that highlights your key attributes)
- Education
and work experience
- Skills
and achievements
- Interests
- References
(where relevant)
You can find more tips on the CV format, and how to write a
good example, in the See Also section.
Over to you:
Now take a moment to look over any cover letters or CVs you
may have put together in the past.
- Do
they read as the best version of yourself?
- Are
there tips from this step that you could now implement to improve them?
- How
can you best tell your story?
Share and discuss your responses with other learners in the
Comments section.