There has been a lot of conflicting opinions about cover letters over the years. For a while, they fell out of favor completely. But today, most experts believe that including a cover letter is an essential part of communicating your interest, experience, and narrative. All of this will help a potential employer see you as the right solution for their company. So how can you be sure that your cover letter will effectively sell you? Here are some tips you can use to make your 2017 job search even better.
Demonstrate your actual impact.
When you demonstrate your impact in your current or past jobs, what you are really doing is sharing the fine details of your performance. This is where data comes in. Tell them how much money you saved. Show them how you changed procedures to be more efficient. These are the specifics companies are looking for that often go unmentioned in the application process.
Show how you solve their problem.
Specifically, the company has their own problem to solve. There is a reason this job is open. It may be because someone left the company either voluntarily or not. Or, maybe the company has expanded and needs new talent to help grow the organization. You need to put yourself in the position of the problem solver.
Highlight your achievements.
You also want to talk about your accomplishments. This is something we often have trouble doing as we have been coached not to brag throughout our lives. But this is the perfect time to highlight what it is that you have done in your career. Talk about your successes and don’t be afraid to brag a little about what you’ve done.
Customize your experience to the job.
Lastly, use the job description to inform your language and narrative. The company will use specific words and phrases in their job posting, so take those and find a way to incorporate them into your experience and your cover letter. Don’t exaggerate or lie, but you can certainly find a place that these stories make sense within your experience.
Do you have a solid cover letter for your job search in 2017? Contact the staff at NRI, now hiring for jobs in DC, to help you find your next opportunity today!
