Resume Cover Letter - Mini Course Day 5

Focus on the particular employer’s needs and explain specifically why you are the right person

One of the major objectives of a resume cover letter is to tell the hiring manager that you are the right person.  You are such a perfect match that the hiring manager picks up a phone and call you for an interview.  To make this happen, here are the things you need to observe.

Remember in Day 2 we talked about an Attention Grabbing Headline?  If you wrote this headline - Three reasons why I believe I may be the candidate you are searching for regarding the position of [job title] – be sure you provide answers to what these three reasons are.

Here’s how we can do it.

Recruitment ad requires:  industry passion, attention to details, team work:

Your cover letter states:

I have a real passion for this industry. I am a hard worker and my attention to detail is one of my best qualities. I enjoy team work and have proven to be a productive team member.

Recruitment ad requires:  global vision, dedication and communication skills:

Your cover letter states:

• I developed interpersonal and communication skills critical to a consulting position
• My dedication, ability to quickly master new tasks, and drive to succeed
• My global vision gained from MNC experience

It doesn’t matter you use paragraph or bullets.  But you must provide the three reasons why you think you are the perfect match. 

Proactive Approach

If you are proactively approaching a company, please include ‘3 WHYs’ on your cover letter: Why banking (or any other industry you are applying); Why HSBC (or name of the company you are approaching), Why you. Show your passion in that business and how you can contribute to the company.

More Writing Tips

As our resume cover letter has to be short, do keep it brief.  Try not to re-write your experiences which are mostly captured in you resume. A better strategy is to summarize your USP (unique selling point), in other words, how your best strength would add value to the role you are applying. You may also include capabilities that were not stated in your resume, such as how your people skills contributed to your success; how you achieve results through team work. 

Please also try to avoid over selling.  Though cover letter is a sales tool, but we still don’t want to make it too aggressive, such as ‘hey, I’m here, hire me.’ An appropriate tone is very important.

Don’t enjoy writing?  You may check out Jimmy Sweeney’s Amazing Cover Letter writing tool which could help you craft the right wordings in the right tone in just 3 minutes.

CONCLUSION: State specifically why you are the right fit for the position being offered.

Resume Cover Letters - Mini Course Day 5