“I just got done with the resume, now I have to write a cover letter too? Ugh…"
Who hasn't thought this at some point?
Related: Does Your Cover Letter Get An A Or F? Here's The Test
A cover letter seems like a formality, a quick handshake before handing over the resume.
But what if it could be more than that? What if it could be a conversation-starter instead?
What makes you interesting? What would spark that human connection that makes someone say, “I like this person!" and trigger a call or email? Answer this and you can dramatically increase how often your resume gets read (and how many interviews you generate).
Step 1: Answer "Why You?"
Skip the cookie-cutter intro and share a personal story or anecdote.
Getting a reader interested in you is more important than stating your name and the position you're after. And yet, this is the way the vast majority of people start a cover letter!
Replace the generic opening with a story that ties into the job you're after.
Here's an example:
I come from two generations of doctors, so you could say that treating patients runs in our blood! My journey in healthcare, which spans over 2 decades and includes my most recent tenure as Director of Cardiology for Ithaca Hospital, has been about much more than just a job. I'm so proud of the strides we've made in increasing quality and service standards, particularly with limited access to resources, but running underneath it all is the same core desire which fueled by years as an Interventional Cardiologist: transform outcomes and the long-term outlook for those in our care. It's a passion shared by the other M.D.s in my family, as well as the staff at [institution name]. Can we schedule a call to discuss the [position title] role?
Step 2: Answer "Why This Job?"
Create a few powerful bullet points highlighting value, and place them right in the center of the page.
Bullet points are a great way to control what gets read first. Any recruiter or HR manager needs reassurance that you do, in fact, possess the key requirements for the job at this stage. So that's what you should highlight. Just keep it big-picture and avoid directly copying any language from the resume.
Here are some examples:
12-Year Track Record of revitalizing brands and bringing impact and agility to corporate communications and product launches. Fortune 500 background with a deep understanding of what truly drives customer engagement.
Able to forge Key Opinion Leader (KOL) relationships, work effectively with cross-functional teams, and leverage an extensive network of industry contacts to maintain market leader status (and drive new market development).
Expert in managing multiple revenue stream operations (Hotel, F&B, Retail, Spa, Entertainment, Off-Site Catering) and turning F&B operations towards rapid market share and profitability growth.
STEP 3: Answer "What's Next?"
Don't forget to include a clear call-to-action.
Make following up simple by explicitly communicating your expectations at the end.
Here's an example:
Please accept this letter and enclosed resume as an introduction to my skills and background. I'm actively pursing opportunities and will be available for a follow-up this week. You can reach me at [phone number] or [email]- looking forward to it!
Recap: Thinking of a cover letter as a conversation-starter, and actively addressing initial questions any new contact would want to know, will dramatically increase response rates during a job search.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert.
Finding a job after college can be tough! There's stiff competition, and sometimes students are at the mercy of the economy that they graduate into. Many college grads often take minimum wage jobs or jobs that they're overqualified for in order to make ends meet.
The key to landing a job out of college is preparing for the job search process while still in school. Unfortunately, they don't always teach you about the job search process in school, so it's up to students to take responsibility for their future careers.
Here are some tips to put yourself in a position to land a job after college.
Be Thoughtful About Your Career Path
Do you know what the career options are for your degree? How competitive the industry is? What the average salary is for the type of role you're pursuing?
These are not questions you should be seeking to answer after graduation. These are all questions that should've been asked prior to declaring a major.
Research...research...research!
Knowing what you might be in for after graduation can help you with planning. You could meet with your advisor well in advance of graduation and look at potential internships and identify potential companies to work for, giving you a head start on your networking efforts.
If you failed to prepare like this prior to graduation, you did put yourself at an initial disadvantage, but you're certainly not doomed!
What If You're Unsure About Your Career Path?
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Even after college, some people are unsure about what they want to do for a career. If you find yourself in this situation, don't panic. You need to do an honest assessment of yourself and determine the valuable skills that you possess. Most importantly, ask yourself, "What are some of the things I love doing?"
Work It Daily also has resources that can assist you in your search. Our FREE Career Decoder Quiz will help you determine your professional persona. Knowing your professional persona will help you understand the skills you have that bring value to the job and what you find professionally and personally fulfilling.
In addition, whether you're a graduate or still a student, don't limit your opportunities to learn new skills.
Chances are you have interests outside of your course of study. You should be open to pursuing those interests. It could be that you're a health/science major with an interest in computers. Why not take some computer courses?
Interested in learning a trade? Electricians, plumbers, contractors, and auto mechanics are all in demand.
If you're still in school, you have an opportunity to take additional courses or decide on a double major or minor.
Options may be a bit more limited for recent grads, but there are always online courses, certification programs, or specialty course programs available. As long as you have a hunger for more knowledge, you should never stop wanting to learn. The more skills you have, the more career options are available to you. Options are important during the job search for recent grads.
Educate Yourself About The Job Search Process
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College can't prepare you for everything, and most of the lessons people learn from the job search process come from real-world experience. However, there are some things you can do to prepare.
First, research as many potential jobs as you can before graduation and identify some potential companies that you would like to work for (this is called your interview bucket list). Second, prepare multiple resumes tailored for the specific positions for which you're applying.
A recruiter needs to see the skills you have that apply to the position within the first six seconds of reading your resume. You should also prepare a disruptive cover letter where you really bring attention to yourself by telling a story about how you connect with the company.
The last thing you need to do is reach out and network. It's not enough to just send in a resume and cover letter and hope that you'll be contacted. Reach out to people who work at the company through LinkedIn and introduce yourself. Use the fact that you're a graduating student seeking knowledge to your advantage. There are professionals who enjoy the opportunity to mentor.
Even if these new connections don't translate into an immediate job, you've made your first professional contacts which could come in handy at some other point in time. Knowing how to conduct a proactive job search will serve you well throughout your professional life.
Remember, There's Nothing Wrong With Changing Career Paths
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Sometimes you find happiness and success in a career field that you didn't go to school for. That's okay (and normal). Life happens!
For new grads, the goal is usually to find work in your field of study and it's great when things work out that way. But as the job search process goes on you may fall into a job that you weren't planning to and end up liking it. If the job makes you happy and there's room for growth, there's nothing wrong with keeping it. It's a personal decision.
This will be true throughout your professional life. You may end up working in your field, but, as time goes on, priorities and life circumstances change. You may develop new skills that draw you into a new career direction. The goal is to always put yourself in a position to succeed and sometimes that means making a change.
Preparation and keeping an open mind are the two common themes when it comes to the job search for recent grads. There are no guarantees for new graduates, so you have to be ready for anything. Hopefully, by knowing what to expect, you'll know how to land a job after college and can land a job that matches your talents.
Here at Work It Daily, we understand how difficult it is to find a job and grow your career as a recent college grad. If you're struggling to find a job that's right for you, we can help.
We'd love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.
It's time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!
This article was originally published at an earlier date.
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