What if you come across a job opportunity that you’re really into but lack the matching job requirements? What should you do? You then browse through resume tips all over the internet only to find that most of them, if not all, would simply tell you to write about your excellence or expertise in that particular area. What if there’s none? Should you just give up then and let every golden opportunity pass? Ofcourse not!

This is the time when you need to introduce yourself to cover letters. Think about it, there are two reasons why a job opportunity would attract you. First is because you want it, the other is because someway somehow you think that you can do it. Bank on the latter. Try to think of why you can do that job and write that in your cover letter. Muster brilliant ideas, use your wits to write a cover letter that would make you stand out from the rest. Make it interesting enough to be noticed.

Let me draw you a picture. A friend of mine who’s a fresh graduate wanted to apply as a store manager at her favorite clothing brand. The job required at least two years managerial experience. She had none. So she wrote in her cover that she’s a very fast learner. She added that she knows the brand so well since she’s been buying a lot of her clothes from there. And to further address her lack of experience, she states that she’s very excited about the job and would be very willing to impart new ideas and learn everything needed and not be as complacent as those who had years of experience in the same position. Guess what? She landed an interview and eventually got the job.

It always pays to put a little more effort. Including a cover letter can show more about you than just sending in your resume. Think of it as an interview, only one way. Show off your good side. Writing an original cover letter as opposed to a generic one can give you a better chance of getting shortlisted. A generic cover letter stating that you want to stay and grow with the company is really boring. A cover letter that rocks can help you outshine even the brightest of resumes.

Tags: Cover Letters, how to write a cover letter, resume and cover letter, writing a cover letter

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 10th, 2010 at 12:29 am and is filed under Applying for a Job, Cover Letters, Resume Help. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.