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Grads – Writing a Winning Cover Letter!

With so many candidates going for the same job openings, you need to really stand out from the crowd throughout the application process. Your best opportunity to make a good first impression is your cover letter. IT Jobs for Graduates brings you the top tips for an effective cover letter.

Sending out a standard, mass produced cover letter is about as useful as an umbrella in a hurricane. If possible, address the letter by name to the relevant person. Take some extra time to find out a little about the company and adapt the letter according. This will show that you are a serious applicant and have done your research.

This is the time to sell yourself. Highlight your key strengths and skills and any accomplishments that will impress. Put the modesty on hold for now, the cover letter is your chance to brag a bit about yourself.

Chances are, most applicants will have qualifications and certificates. Recruiters will be looking for things that make you different. What experiences or special talents do you have? Relate these to the job or company that you are applying for and suddenly your application becomes a lot more appealing.

You may have a perfectly legitimate reason for leaving your last job. Perhaps that previous boss was a complete ogre to you, but never include any negative comments in your cover letter. Prospective employers will frown upon this and any interest to hire you will soon fade.

Your cover letter is the means to an end. It is your tool to entice the employer towards your CV. You need to make sure that your cover letter is direct and to the point but interesting enough to hold the reader’s attention. Don’t be afraid to inject your personality into the letter, but always remain professional.

Source: www.itjobsforgraduates.com

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Article Tags: Winning Cover, Cover Letter

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