Even more than the rest of the country, Florida will likely have a booming job market in the near future. But that doesn’t mean every job is just there for the taking. You’ll still need to put your best foot forward — which means mastering the art of writing a cover letter.
Yes, Florida should have ample job opportunities. However, even in this candidate-friendly environment, you can’t get lazy. Don’t try to boil down your cover letter to a 10-word text or show up to an interview in sweatpants. To grab the truly enticing opportunities, you’ll still need to impress.
A cover letter provides an excellent tool for pushing your career forward. Nearly three-quarters of hiring managers (72%) require them and 83% said they were an important part of the hiring process. As such, you should do what it takes to get the most out of this crucial document.
With that in mind, here are six tips for Florida job seekers to improve their cover letters:
Push Past Your Resume
Don’t bullet-point your education and experience in a cover letter. All that information is detailed in your resume. Rather, take the additional opportunity to expand on your best selling points.
Try to include information in your cover letter that might get missed in a quick perusal of your resume. This includes information that’s hard to summarize quickly, as well as particular examples of experience that make you especially well-qualified for the position at hand.
Here are a few steps you can take that will prevent your cover letter from becoming a rehash of your resume:
- Talk about culture: Let a prospective employer know what you can add to their corporate culture. Do this by bringing up qualities like teamwork, integrity, and commitment.
- Show some personality: Don’t overdo it but try to add splashes of personality that will make hiring managers remember your application.
- Mention remote work experience: Given the new economic realities, companies might gravitate towards candidates that can operate in a hybrid environment.
- Demonstrate your interest in the job: Use the cover letter to show your excitement for the position. Again, don’t go over the top. But a healthy interest will draw attention.
Customize for Every Position
You should already be tailoring your resume to individual positions, focusing on relevant experience to show how suitable you are for each open position. This process should apply to your cover letter as well. Customize it for each situation so that it gives you the maximum chance to impress.
You can start with a cover letter template. However, update the language as necessary to fit the circumstances. Use the job posting and your communications with the company (as well as any research you’ve done into the firm) to guide your efforts.
Make It Readable
Yes, cover letters (as well as resumes) often get scanned by an AI. However, you have to assume a human will look it over eventually. As such, take time to make it a readable effort.
Excel at the Basics
Don’t give a hiring manager any excuse to drop you as a candidate. As such, you should strive to deliver a clean copy, free from any mistakes. To do this, make sure you:
- Proofread
- Use Proper Formatting
- Add Some Style
Keep It Brief
Don’t deliver the manuscript of your autobiography. A document of more than a page will likely go unread. Rather, concentrate on a couple major points, delivering your message quickly and effectively.
Watch Your Tone
Match your tone to the company’s expectations. Again, you can use their job posting as a model. In addition, look at their website and social media feeds to understand their approach. This will help you decide whether to stick to a formal tone or try something more casual.
Need Help Finding Your Next Job?
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Contact Hiregy today to take advantage of Florida’s booming job market.
