How to Make Your Cover Letter a Perfect Fit for Any Opening -

How to Make Your Cover Letter a Perfect Fit for Any Opening -Lets face it, a blanket titelseite letter just isnt going to cut it these days. So how can you make the best use of your time while maximizing your results? Here are a few simple steps to customizing your cover letters. (And if you dont think you SHOULD customize your cover letter for each application you submit, then we have bigger problems than I thought )A MEMORABLE OPENERHeres a mistake I see mora and mora job seekers making the opening line on their cover letter reads, Please accept this in response to the (position) advertised on month day, year Whats wrong with this kind of opening line? Everyone uses it. The point of your job search is to stand out from the crowdnot get lost in the midst of it. Instead, try using something similar to your branding statement. You can easily tweak your branding statement to be a customized opening line.For example With more than 10 years of profit-driven project management expertise Whats different about this opening line? Im already addressing the companys need for a bottom-line-driven project manager sharing my years of experience and hitting the job title on the dot. Thats three big points youve scored in the first line alone.FACTS THAT beistand REQUIREMENTSAfter youve written your opening lines (which express your interest in the position and introduce you to the prospective employer) immediately jump into how you can meet the organizations needs based on the requirements the company posted in its online ad or job description.I see you are interested in hiring someone with strategic-change management experience. (Or whatever the key requirement of the position ishighlight it here). Then tellor even better, SHOWthe reader why you have that experience In my present role with ABC Distributors, I did XYZ, which resulted in JKL. Showing the potential employerright off the batthat you possess a desired attribute or requirement for the position will prompt the hir ing manager to invest more time in reading your resume. If your cover letter statesin so many wordsI am the perfect match for your opening, and I can meet/exceed your needs then you immediately get my attention, and Im more likely to invest time in reviewing your resume. Heres a tip do not use bullet points or material word-for-word from your resume provide the hiring manager with fresh information on your cover letter.DETAILS ARE IMPORTANTHere are a few small details to remember when crafting a cover letter to fit a specific opening-Make sure that your cover letter heading matches your resumes.-Include your branding statement with your header at the top of your cover letter. It enforces your brand and provides a polished touch.-Include a prozentzahl from a former employer if relevant and hard-hitting. This is a great way to sell what youre capable of accomplishing for an organization. If the prospective employer has a specific requirement in its job adand youve already done that s omewhere else and have a great recommendation or quote from a previous supervisor to back it upWOW There really isnt any better sales/marketing material than that. Not much can beat a quote about your results.CLOSE WITH CONTACTAlways offer at the close of your letter to follow up with the employer/hiring manager via phone, e-mail, snail mail, whatever within a specific time frame (be it one week or two or whenever). Also, be sure to include your contact information so they can reach out to you. Keep the closing professional, polished, and concise. You dont want to appear desperate or unprofessional.Jessica Hernandez is a resume authority for the Job Talk America radio program and multi-published expert author for resume, career, and job search publications. She boasts more than ten years in human resources management and hiring for Fortune 500 companies and utilizes her extensive experience to support job seekers in their quest to move onward and upward in their careers. Find out m ore at http//www.greatresumesfast.com.