INEGI figures indicate that the unemployment rate in May was 2.9%, the highest since January; In other words, there are about 1.76 million people looking for a job opportunity, so today more than ever, candidates must find a way to stand out among all those “competitors” who are after the same vacancy.
A good track record and correctly capturing it in a curriculum vitae (CV) certainly helps, but there is another way to capture the attention of recruiters and that is through a cover letter. This brief document, as its name indicates, is a way of showing, from a more personal perspective, who you are, why you are interested in joining the company, and how your skills match those that are being requested.
Keep in mind that many recruiters don’t have enough time to review the profile of every candidate that applies, which is why adding a cover letter can boost your CV as, without having a formal interview, you can explain why you deserve that job, in addition to the fact that those in charge of the Human Resources department can get to know you a little better, see how you communicate in a work environment or how you process information.
How to write a cover letter?
Although you will find various templates on the internet from which you can be inspired, do not lose sight of the fact that it is a personal text. For the most effective writing, Gorick Ng, a Harvard employment advisor, recommends thinking about four paragraphs:
- Describe who you are and what position you are applying for.
- Talk about your interest in the vacancy or the company.
- Mention experience related to the position that interests you.
- Close by showing your willingness to talk more in depth through an interview.
How to achieve an attractive and effective cover letter?
In addition to considering the structure of the four paragraphs, here we share a series of tips that you should keep in mind while writing your cover letter.
- Originality. Do not resort to the classic “copy and paste”, remember that this document is your opportunity to show who you are as well as your interest in a specific company.
- Customize. Take the time to find the person in charge of the process so that you can direct your text to him. Avoid using phrases like “To Whom It May Concern.”
- Show genuine interest. By researching the company to which you are applying and putting it in the letter, you will show that you really want to be part of their work team.
- Attention to detail. Show the great professional you are by generating an impeccable text, from taking care of spelling and writing to finding the best format, all these elements will add or subtract points to your introduction to the company.
- Concise. Remember that HR managers often don’t have the time they’d like to go through the sheer number of applications they receive, so keep your letter short and effective.
- Be yourself. Finally, do not lose sight of the fact that with this type of document the objective is that, without the need for an interview, they can learn more about you. They already know your work experience from your CV, take better advantage of these characters so that they know you from a more personal perspective.
A good cover letter doesn’t ensure you get the job you’re applying for, but it can help you get the interview where you’ll show why you should be considered for that position. You already know, write that text and improve your chances of getting out of unemployment or finding the position you have been looking for for so long.
Daniela Ramos Communicologist and mom. With 10 years of experience, I have been able to tell stories related to business, personal finance, work culture, entrepreneurship and technology.