Many people think a cover letter is outdated and old-fashioned. They do not realize that by using a cover letter, you are selling yourself as a potential candidate for the company to which you would like to apply for a position. Let us have a look at what to include within your cover letter to ensure your success:

• Do not copy and paste your resume: remember that you are not writing an essay explaining to the company why you would be the perfect Candidate for the position. The cover letter allows you to showcase your skills as well as your experience to potential companies in terms of what you can bring to the table and how you can help to bring growth or even change to the company as a whole. Remember to be honest when you list your skills and experience as this can either make or break your chances of success. You can also state the reason why you want to work for this company and how you can help them to achieve their set vision for the future or even their current goals which they would like to accomplish. Remember to use Business English Etiquette when writing your cover letter as this also shows potential recruiters and companies how skilled you are when writing emails or even letters.
• Formatting 101: this might sound unnecessary because you are only writing a cover letter, however, formatting is just as important as your spelling. Try to keep your cover letter to a minimum of 1 page rather than having two pages. Remember that when recruiters receive cover letters, they only skim through the cover letter for the important information and this is why it’s essential that you only add the essential information to sell your particular skills to the potential recruiter. Only use one font type throughout your entire letter that is easy to read (examples include Times New Roman or even Arial) – this will make it easier for the recruiter or prospective employer/company to quickly read the information that is important to them.
• Address the right person: it is very easy to simply state “to whom it may concern” when writing or even addressing a person within your cover letter this is a common mistake that many people make especially if they are addressing their cover letter to numerous recruiters and prospective employers/companies. It is important to address your cover letter to the person to whom you are sending, it for example: Mr Mark Baker, Chief Finance Officer, BYC Group. In this way, your cover letter is more personal and direct and will make a better impression on the reader. You want your letter to stand out whilst looking professional at the same time. You may think it sounds silly to be professional when writing a cover letter, however, it could be the difference between getting a new position or just ending up being deleted along with your CV.
• Use action verbs: try to be a bit more spontaneous when writing action verbs by avoiding words like fast thinker or even hard worker. Rather try and use more effective wording and not words that get overused on a regular basis. For example, when it comes to communication skills you can use the following: negotiation skills, editorial skills, and translation skills. You can use other skills: easy-to-approach, enjoy working in a team, work well under pressure, handle tricky tasks, or even adaptability skills. Remember to make your action verbs unique without copying everyday words used by other people.

Appreciation: most importantly, do not forget to end your cover letter on a positive note. It is essential to end your cover letter with something to leave the ball in the recruiter’s court such as: I look forward to meeting you, or it was a pleasure to meet you and, I hope that I will hear from you soon. Remember to thank the recruiter for taking the time to read your cover letter, even if you did not receive any feedback or were called in for an interview. Being polite is essential, because even if you don’t get this particular position – your written positivity/attitude might just get you remembered for another position in the future