Let’s face it, your cover letter may have little to no effect on whether you are hired. It is possible for a hiring manager to ignore it or not even bother to read it. It is important to have a cover letter in case a recruiter isn’t sure if she wants you to proceed. No matter how big or small the company is, cover letters are vital. However, they can be used in different ways depending on the company’s recruitment goals. This article will discuss how to address your cover letters so that the hiring manager notices them.

You need to address the hiring manager directly.

These are some ways you can find out who is hiring to fill a particular position.

Contact any company contacts to see if they can help you.

Call or email the company to inquire about who is hiring for job X.

You can do some research on LinkedIn and Google. Enter [hiring manager + company name X] to see what results you get.

You should address “The Hiring Team” at the minimum, and not “To whom it may pertain.”

Small touches like this can make a big difference in showing that you are putting effort into your effective cover letters and not just sending generic cover letters to everyone you see on the internet.

Be distinctive from the beginning and avoid relying on a generic introduction.

John Lees, a UK-based career consultant and author of KnockoutCV, stated to Harvard Business Review that people often write themselves into letters with the following: “I’m applying [for X job] that I saw at Y place.” It’s a wasteful use of text.

Your cover letter introduction will be your best chance to grab the attention of the hiring manager and make sure they don’t discard it. There is no pressure.

Claire McCarthy agrees with Lees’ point. She explains that a recruiter already knows why you are applying for the job. Instead, she encourages candidates to use the introduction to show why they are qualified.

You should start by being direct, persuasive, and dynamic. Lees suggests something like: “Before I go any further, let’s draw your attention to two reasons you might want me …” See?” This sentence allows you to share important information that recruiters need to know early.

Your introduction content will differ depending on the culture of the company. A tech start-up might require a more open and creative introduction, while a financial position may need more professionalism. To ensure that your tone matches their brand, you will need to research.

Fill in the gaps on your resume or you could be labeled suspicious.

No one career path is completely straight. Potential employers won’t be offended if you have career setbacks and employment gaps. However, it will look suspicious if your resume shows six months of unemployment with no explanation.

Bart Turczynski is a career expert and editor at Upwork.com. He suggests that you use your cover letter to fill in any gaps on your resume.

Turczynski suggests that you use the cover letter to tell what you did in your gap time. Consider any courses or workshops that you may have taken during this time.

If you don’t address the issue, it’s likely that a recruiter will be skeptical about your work ethic. You should explain how you gained professional growth and what you have learned. You don’t need to conceal the fact that you traveled after college.

If you need help tailoring your Resume, you can check out our site to work with a professional resume expert.

These are the critical questions that a hiring manager might ask.

Jenny Foss is the founder and CEO of JobJenny.com. She has written three questions that hiring managers will want to know when reviewing cover letters.

Is he/she able to do this job?

Are we in like with him/her?

Are we sure he/she will fit in here?

The first question is answered partially by your resume, but not the second and third. Your cover letter must convince the hiring manager that you are a better match than other applicants with similar professional skills.

Do extensive research about the company culture. You want your cover letter to reflect the company’s tone. Do they seem relaxed, casual, fast-paced, or conservative?

If the About Us page of a company is very results-oriented, you might change your tone to reflect that. For example, you might say, “Over the past one year as digital marketing manager at Company A I’ve generated $30k+ revenue, and increased organic visitors to our blog by 14% .”

If the group is more laid-back and lively, you might utilize a tone that sounds like someone who enjoys having fun (see 8 Impressive Ways To Start a Cover letter with Examples)

It is difficult to answer Foss’s second question, whether you are likable. Although it can be difficult to appear likable in digital correspondence, you should still be authentic and user-friendly, and respectful words.

You could, for example, use email to convey a sense of good humor and a sense of openness. Use phrases like “At your earliest convenience,” “Have an amazing weekend,” and “I look forward to hearing from you.” Avoid being pushy or frustrated and instead focus on past accomplishments (“I’m a quick learner… I got two promotions within seven months”), instead of sounding boisterous (“I have always been smart .”).

Demonstrate how your interests and values line up with those of the company

Passion is an important indicator of success and loyalty. Your cover letter can be a great opportunity to express your passion for the job application.

Madeline Mann, Gem HQ’s Director of People Operations, said: “The second important ‘why” in a cover letter is, Why this company? If the cover letter mentions geeking out about our technology, cultural tenets, or mission, it is a big bonus. These are the ideal candidates who can understand at least some of what we are doing and why it is important. They have an advantage because our small start-up is driven by passion and thirst to learn. If you don’t get excited over complex, bleeding-edge technology, you won’t have as much fun as the rest.

Apart from writing a list, the best way to demonstrate your ability to do a job well is to show recruiters that you are interested in the company’s success and understand its bottom line. If your values are aligned with the company’s or if the company has overarching goals, this will be more convincing.

Start with your elevator pitch.

Claire McCarthy suggests that you think of your closing statement as a legal argument. “You are making a case for why you are qualified for this job, and why the recruiter should take you forward.” What is your value proposition? What value will you bring to the table and what will set you apart?

This is your opportunity to explore skills and professional experiences not listed on your resume. Your closing statement should be confident about your plans for the company and the job you are applying for. This is your chance to paint a picture that will show the recruiter how you see Company Y’s past successes and the likelihood of your future success at her company.

Be direct. Claire suggests something like: “As the youngest rep at my Boston-based firm, I worked West Coast hours, and reached 125% of my annual quota for 2017.” Claire says this: “I plan to take my track record of success and dedication to my craft to Company X’s sales team.”

Your closing statement should be your pitch for why the role is right for you. Consider all of your previous relevant experiences and make a compelling argument about how you can succeed next.

CONCLUSION

You now know how to address the hiring manager’s cover letter. These steps will ensure that you get the job you want. Remember to always provide the extra mile with your service and professionalism for you to be a perfect candidate. Good luck with your job search!