What recruiters look for in a cover letter

Cover letters can really grab a recruiter’s attention and set you ahead of the other applicants. The right combination of active language, key words, and a few subtle tweaks can turn any old cover letter into a winner.

Recruiters say your cover letter should be succinct and:

  • Show how your achievements relate to the role
  • Highlight how your skills and work experience are what the employer needs
  • Show genuine excitement and enthusiasm for the role
  • List your most significant achievements from previous roles
  • Tell the recruiter or employer why you’re the person for the job

Finally, even if time is tight, get someone else to read over your cover letter and provide feedback. Getting it right can really boost your chances of landing the job.

Tony Pownall, Regional General Manager at Hudson shared his idea of cover letter below:

Pownall is impressed by a cover letter in which a candidate talks about their motivation and passion for a particular role and highlights the key competencies. Pownall adds that candidates should pull out two to three points to demonstrate that they have a very transferable skill set.

He recommends following up with a phone call to encourage the recruiter or employer to open the cover letter. “It demonstrates interest,” he says.

Extracted from Seek (https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/article/what-recruiters-look-for-in-a-cover-letter)

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