You’ve spent hours on your resume. When it comes to your cover letter, it’s tempting to cut corners. But as expert cover letter writers, the team at ResumeSpice knows doing so can sabotage your job search efforts. Hiring managers actually do read these and they offer you another valuable opportunity to set yourself apart as a candidate.

So when it comes to crafting a compelling one, how can you go about customizing it for each position in a way that seems authentic, not forced? Start with these simple tips:

1: Read through the job posting again.

What skills and abilities do you have that seem most important to this particular employer? Make a list then be sure you’re highlighting them in your cover letter. You don’t need to cover each one. Just one or two where your background is the strongest. This will enable hiring managers to quickly see you’re a fit for the position.

2: Open with a compelling statement.

Instead of just stating you’re applying for “XYZ job,” write something that grabs the attention of the hiring manager. They’re going to be seeing many boilerplate letters that all start off the same. So when you take this approach, you’re going to entice them to keep reading.

Some ideas about what to lead with include:

• Highlighting someone who referred you to the job or a mutual connection.
• Bringing up an industry trend to demonstrate your knowledge and experience.
• Talking about why you entered your career field and expressing passion for what you do.

3: Tell a story.

Is there a particular project you worked on that’s highly relevant to the position? Did you recently win an award that speaks to your unique skills and abilities and the value you can offer in this role? Are you genuinely attracted to this company’s products or services? If so, why?

Whatever the case, when you tell a story, you’re going to bring your background to life in a way that’s more personal to the hiring manager. This will further enable you to distinguish yourself among other candidates.

4: Skip the superficial.

When it comes to your cover letter, don’t litter it with superlatives and unsubstantiated claims. Instead, clear and simple language is your best approach. Calling yourself a “guru” or a “star” candidate will undermine your credibility and make it seem like you’re more fluff and less substance.

5: Proofread, proofread, proofread.

Just as with your resume, it’s important to proofread your cover letter carefully to check for mistakes in grammar and spelling. It’s also critical to ensure that you’ve addressed the letter to the right person and that their name and job title are spelled correctly.

If you’d like professional help creating a well-written cover letter, turn to the cover letter writers at ResumeSpice. Not only do we know what hiring managers are looking for, but how to set your background apart so you get noticed and get called for an interview. To learn more, call us today at 832.930.7378.