Stand Out By Connecting Your Cover Letter to the Job Description
So – you know that you are an excellent candidate for the job in which you are applying, but you might be a little lost on how to convey this to the hiring committee. Here’s the trick: introduce yourself as an asset to the organization by tailoring your cover letter to the job description.
Not tailoring your application to the job description is one of the biggest mistakes hiring managers see. Imagine – you’re sifting through 200 applications, and 80% of them make no connection to the job you’re hiring for. Who are you more likely to call back for an interview? The person who made it really difficult to see how their experience connects to the job description, or the person who made it crystal clear?
This is a huge part of the job application process that too often goes unchecked. Here’s a process that will help you upgrade your application approach:
Dig Into the Job Description
Have a clear grasp of the job description so that you can demonstrate how you are able meet those expectations. Use 5 Tips for Reading Job Postings as a guide for reading the job description.
What Part of it Aligns with Your Experience?
Identify two or three main skills or responsibilities that the employer is requiring of candidates that you can demonstrate.
Answer These Questions
Answer the following questions based on the skills you have chosen in step two with brief, yet detailed anecdotes:
What successes have you experienced that directly relate to the job responsibilities?
How have you demonstrated that you have any of the soft-skills that were mentioned in the job description?
How have you used technical skills to complete a project?
How can you quantify your successes as data? Share those outstanding observable outcomes in your cover letter before you get to your interview.
Write a Story that Connects
Draw explicit connections between your knowledge and skills and the company by telling a story. Explain how the skills you highlighted relate directly to the job description. Additionally, draw parallels between the company’s goals and values and your own.
For further support in writing an excellent cover letter, review "7 Ways to Make Sure They Read Your Cover Letter," by Dr. Marcia F. Robinson.