One of the hardest things about any job search is the prospect of making a favorable impression as a candidate with – let’s face it – limited opportunities to interface with the recruiting party. And when faced with dozens of applications for a single position, recruiters don’t have the bandwidth to give more than a few minutes to each. This may be why writing a cover letter – ideally only about 120 words, total – can feel like such a Herculean task. Those 120 words have a lot to convey – your enthusiasm for the position, how great a fit you are for the job and the organization, not to mention polite introductions and sign-offs.
So how do you pack a big wallop into a brief cover letter? Here are our tips:
- Assert yourself. Use direct, action-driven language that makes it clear that you’re right for the job. For example, instead of saying, “I believe I could be a great fit for this position,” say, “I am a great fit for this position.” See how much stronger that second statement is? Plus, it takes up less space. Now, you can back that strong statement up with more about your relevant experience, training, and personal conviction.
- Try not to address anyone as Sir or Madame. This point could also be titled, “Demonstrate that you've done your research.” We live in the information age. Research the organization and find the name of the person you’re addressing. The effort will not go unnoticed. Plus, that research will teach you a lot about the organization and your potential role there. You’ll find more reasons you’re a good fit for the position and you’ll be able to write a more compelling argument for yourself.
- Details, details, details. There’s nothing like staring at the same cover letter for two hours to blind you to typos. Read it the letter out loud, slowly. Read it backwards. Have a friend read it. Just make sure that your spelling, grammar and punctuation are spot on before you send your letter out into the world.
Finally, of course, it never hurts to mention how you learned about the job you’re applying for, particularly if you happened to find it at The Lund Report.
Ready to flex your cover-letter-writing muscles? Here’s a taste of what’s new at Health Hires:
- CHC Medical Director – Community Health Centers of Lane County
- Administrative Intern – Northwest Health Foundation
- Environmental Justice Manager – Coalition of Communities of Color
These are just a few of the opportunities currently posted to the jobs board. Visit the Health Hires jobs board at The Lund Report.com to see the full list of jobs, internships and volunteer positions currently available. Jobseekers browse for free and employers reach over 20,000 readers for very competitive rates.
Julia can be reached at [email protected].
