Cover letter
Cover letters are important documents that can help your resume stand out among other candidates, but it can be difficult knowing how to prepare for and begin writing one. They are not easy, nor should they be hastily written. Here are some tips to consider when beginning your cover letter.
Write down the key requirements listed in the job description and research the company’s website, social media feeds, and employee LinkedIn profiles to identify the culture within the company and any challenges they might be facing. This research can help you decide how your experiences and skills fit into the organization and give insight into how you may be able to explain how your role within the company could address current challenges.
Based on the details of the job listing or the company, try creating tables, columns, or diagrams comparing your experiences, skills, and occupational goals and values with the company’s position. By recognizing how you match up to the job, you will be able to more easily convey your enthusiasm and appropriateness for the position in your cover letter. Being able to clearly identify why you chose to apply and to relay your excitement will help make your cover letter stand out with authenticity and personality.
As a cover letter is at most a one-page document highlighting your ability and potential for a position, you will want to include a short description of an experience that speaks to your qualifications and gives the reader a distinct idea about who you are as an employee and how your skills and work experience can add value to their company. If you have limited professional experience, try thinking about some strengths and skills from previous internship, volunteer, or work experiences that could be emphasized and transferred.
Using your research on the company and job listing, plus the list of skill sets you have identified, write a draft using a standard business letter block format (see examples on the next few pages).
Before submitting your application, you should review your cover letter and resume for any grammatical or mechanical errors. For formatting, content, or organizational concerns; you can schedule an appointment with a career counselor or by emailing career.cent@upm.edu.sa, or you can visit us at the Center for Career and Professional Development during Career drop-in hours, Sunday-Thursday from Noon to 4 p.m. at the CCPD-BC119.