Get the Edge over Other Job Candidates
Sometimes, the door to our success is the one we open for ourselves. Standing out from the crowd by working smarter – not harder – at applying for jobs can do the trick. It’s time to clean out the stale job-hunting tactics that aren’t producing results. Rewriting your cover letter can give you an edge. Write a hard-hitting opening line
Your cover letter should really be called your sales letter. Your opening line – for example: With over 10 years of profit-driven project management expertise… – should address the company’s need for a bottom-line driven project manager, share your years of experience and hit the job title. Now you’ve scored three big points in the first line alone.
Position yourself as a benefit to the company
After your opening line, immediately jump into how you can meet the organization’s needs based on the requirements the company posted in their online ad or job description. You know you excel in your field and you have the references to back you up. Maybe you’re a machinist with experience on a variety of complex types of equipment. Perhaps you’re an administrative professional with rare high-tech skills. Do a little research to find out the major challenges facing this company. Then, in your cover letter, reach out to them by promoting yourself not only as a qualified employee, but as a solution to industry issues. Show them how you can help them achieve their goals.
Back up your claims
Include a quote from a former employer if relevant. This is a great way to “sell” what you’re capable of accomplishing for an organization. If the employer has a specific requirement in their job ad and you’ve already done that somewhere else and have a great recommendation or quote from a previous supervisor to back it up – WOW! – there really isn’t better sales/marketing material than that. Not much can beat a quote about your results.
Match their mission
Check out the company’s mission statement and insert their keywords into your cover letter. Make sure your skills match those listed in the job description. Grab their attention by being the best candidate possible.
As one of the top staffing agencies and placement firms in Texas, we have experienced recruiters who know how things work behind the HR scenes. We can provide you with unique tips that can put you ahead of other job applicants. We invite you to partner with Burnett Specialists and Choice Specialists and allow us to open doors to positions at some of the best companies in Texas. We treat you like a person, getting to know your individual skills, talents and goals so that we can find the absolute best place for you. Whether you want a temporary or permanent placement, we can help jumpstart your job search and get your future started. Contact us today!
