HUFFPOST How to Write a Cover Letter - Jane Jackson Career

HUFFPOST How to Write a Cover Letter - Jane Jackson Career I was recently interviewed by HuffPost for this article on how to write a cover letter, resumes and how to create a powerful LinkedIn profile.Published in HuffPost on 20 July 2017, written by  David Barden,  Journalist, HuffPost AustraliaHeres an excerpt:How To Write A Cover LetterA well-written cover letter could be the difference between an interview or a rejection.Job applications can be stressful and its often difficult to decide what you should or shouldnt include in your application.But if you want to prove to a new employer that youre the ideal candidate for a job, its a good idea to include a cover letter (and an absolute must if the job ad requires one).According to career management coach  Jane Jackson, while they might be a pain to write, cover letters are important because they give you the opportunity to show a bit of personality while highlighting information contained in your CV that you believe makes you an ideal employee.Jackson told HuffPost Australia that its impor tant to take the time to carefully craft your cover letter so it shows a hiring manager who you are and why youre the candidate theyve been looking for.What should you have in your cover letter?How you format your cover letter is just as important as the information it contains. A good cover letter should use size 10 or 11 point font and fit neatly on a single page. When applying for a position, dont be shy use the  stalking  research skills youve developed over the years to find out who will be reviewing your application.Make sure you find out the name of the person to who it is addressed, Jackson said.Dont put To Whom It May Concern do a bit of research and get a name, because it makes such a difference and it shows that you care.If you mention their name its just that little bit of [a] personal touch that makes it better.Before diving into it, Jackson also recommends clearly stating the position youre applying for, where and when it was advertised and the reference number (if ap plicable).A good cover letter will usually contain four paragraphs, the first of which should grab the attention of the reader and provide an explanation as to why youre writing to the employer. In the second paragraph, Jackson recommends linking your relevant experience to the advertisement.Following on from this, its important that in your third paragraph you relate yourself to the company or group youre hoping to work with. Dont hold back tell the reader what you can offer and the difference you believe you can make to the organisation. A good tip for nailing this section of your cover letter is to research the position youre applying for as well as the company.To read the full article click here