If you have committed a crime and are needing to apply for a job, your resume might not be the only thing potential employers look at before deciding who they will hire. Having a well crafted and professional cover letter can be what sets you apart from everyone else. When you are writing your cover letter, there are several things you need to remember to do in order for it to be effective and appropriate for the job you are applying for.
Here are a few tips on how to write an effective cover letter.
To Whom Are You Writing?
Writing “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Manager” is not personal and looks like a lazy approach to the process of writing a cover letter. If you take the time to figure out who will be receiving and reading your letter, it will set you apart immediately. Address your letter to the actual person who is considering you for the job and you will have a much greater chance of actually landing the gig.
How Engaging Is The First Sentence?
Once you know who you are writing to, it is important to get their attention in the very first sentence you write. If you open the letter with a generic statement or something that is not interesting, chances are the employer will overlook your letter because it does not stand out to him or her. Having an attention-grabbing opener could be the key to success for you.
Did You Ramble On And On?
When writing a cover letter, the motto “less is more” could not be truer. Employers don’t have the time to read a long letter discussing things that are not important to them. Keep it short and sweet and you are sure to be given a second look in the interviewing process. The length of the letter is very important because you do not want your reader to be bored or uninterested in what you have to say.
What Can You Offer The Company?
In your letter be sure to include your skills and abilities and how you will help further the work of the company. If you are able to help the business grow and are able to contribute something special, then you will have a greater chance of being considered for the position.
In your cover letter, be sure to not include your history, especially if you have been convicted of a crime. This information will come up soon enough as they conduct background checks and look into your past, so make your cover letter a positive reflection on who you are and what you can do to further the work of the company.
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