The job market these days is more saturated than ever. Finding a job that aligns with your qualifications is even more difficult. So in this situation, when you come across a vacancy relevant to your field, give it your best.
To secure the interview, you need to leave a good impression with a strong CV and a technical cover letter. Your resume will help you get through the ATS, and a cover letter will help you get noticed by the recruiters. You can use the same CV for similar roles, but a cover letter is more specific and should be written separately for every job. However, the basic writing steps remain the same. Let’s discuss those steps below.
Customize your Cover Letter
To make your cover letter stand out, you need to make it very specific by explaining exactly why you want to join that company and how the role aligns with your skills. You are not just randomly mentioning your qualifications; instead, you have the opportunity to explain how you can be the ideal candidate for that specific role
Don’t Repeat Your Resume
Enlisting the same skills and qualifications you mentioned in your resume won’t serve any purpose. Cover letters are like a blank canvas; you get to provide tailored information that can help you stand out among other candidates. So instead of mentioning generic skills, mention only those the role demands.
For example, if you are writing a software engineer cover letter, instead of mentioning coding, you could write front-end developer, back-end developer, or full-stack developer. Make sure to mention skills that are actually required for the role. For such technical cover letters, you can also take tips from Intuit, as they provide expert insight on this matter.
Include Keywords
Before applying to any new job, read the job description very carefully, and while writing your cover letter, add two to three keywords from the job description. If the company has an ATS system, your cover letter will pass it easily and also stand out in the sea of applications the recruiter might review.
Address Gaps
If you took a gap year or made a drastic career change, your CV will give it away. A cover letter can explain why you made that decision and how it is contributing to your career growth. Addressing gaps can help the employer decide based on facts rather than assumptions.
Proofread Carefully
The last step is reading what you have written in the cover letter. You might assume you have mentioned all the relevant skills and qualifications required for the job, and you will definitely get the interview call, but don’t judge too soon.
After finishing writing, read it thoroughly to avoid human error and get feedback from your HR friends and someone in your industry.
Conclusion
Writing a technical cover letter can sound complex and time-consuming, but once you know the basic steps, you can effortlessly write a good cover letter every time you apply for a new role. Key things to remember: make it as specific as possible to increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters.
