{"id":7233,"date":"2016-11-20T20:38:30","date_gmt":"2016-11-20T20:38:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monsterindia.com\/career-advice\/your-ultimate-cover-letter-checklist-7233\/"},"modified":"2023-09-28T17:05:55","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T11:35:55","slug":"your-ultimate-cover-letter-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/your-ultimate-cover-letter-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Your ultimate cover letter checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto\" src=\"http:\/\/media.monsterindia.com\/cmsimages\/1479654375.jpg\" alt=\"cover letter tips\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">Malaysia has found itself comfortably well-off economically, and hopes to achieve high-income status in the coming years. Fittingly, this would mean an influx of job opportunities opening up for locals and foreigners, alike. In a sea of hopeful applicants, you need to have an edge above the others to get noticed by recruiters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">A well articulated cover letter in addition to your CV is sure to get the attention. Despite what many may think, cover letters are not redundant, and can really help you get that invite for an interview for your dream job.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">Crafting a well-written cover letter is an art. Let us help you perfect yours with these handy tips and tricks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">\u25cf <strong>Introduction:<\/strong> This includes a strong opening paragraph that communicates your job target and key strengths. It should be written in a standard business letter format, and must be addressed to a specific individual in the company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">\u25cf <strong>Body:<\/strong> Your cover letter\u2019s body should emphasise how you would benefit the employer if you were hired, by demonstrating your expertise using industry-specific language, and mentioning relevant accomplishments. Ensure your letter is engaging, and contains just the right amount of information to entice the reader while reviewing your resume. Most importantly, it should sound you and it should reflect your personality.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">\u25cf <strong>Closing Paragraph:<\/strong> Check that you\u2019ve provided an easy way for employers to contact you, and end it with a call to action, such as a request for an interview.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">Things you should include:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">1. What are your applying for<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">After briefly introducing yourself, clearly state what job you wish to apply for. Never go for the \u2018I\u2019m willing to apply for any openings that you have\u2019. Believe us, the recruiter will immediately toss your cover letter in the bin. Rather, state the exact job position and also mention where you found the opening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">2. Why you\u2019re interested in the job<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">It\u2019s very important for recruiters to see your interest and enthusiasm towards the job. They want to see why you are interested in their company specifically, and this is how you should pen your letter. Try your best to give them a clear idea of what drives you to want to join their company instead of just giving a general answer like, \u2018I\u2019ve always dreamed to be a part of such a prestigious company.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">Example: \u201cThis opportunity particularly interests me because my passion and values are aligned with your company goals. As a volunteer for the Children\u2019s Welfare Association, I have seen your great contributions to this cause, and personally working with you will further extend my experience and understanding of the field.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">3. What your relevant experiences or transferable skills are<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">Your best selling points are your experiences or transferable skills that match the role at hand. But don\u2019t just repeat what\u2019s in your CV &#8211; ensure you craft a more detailed explanation of what you did in the past, and how it has shaped you as a professional and individual, and what experiences you have gained. You can tell a short but relevant story in previous jobs or even a more personal experience that can justify how you\u2019re fit for their company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">Example: \u201cAs my attached resume indicates, I have years of experience in the industry. One pivotal moment in my career was during my immersion with indigents in a foreign country. It has opened my mind more to the realities of life, making me appreciate my job more, and also making me more dedicated to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">4. Tell them you\u2019d like an interview<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">Of course it\u2019s important to let the recruiter know that you\u2019d very much like to be interviewed for the position. Briefly state how meeting in person is a good way for you to better explain your credentials.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">Example: \u201cI would very much appreciate an opportunity to talk to you in person, to explore how my skills and experience could best meet your company\u2019s needs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">5. Express your gratitude for being considered<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">Don\u2019t forget to say thank you for their time and consideration, and also wish the reader well before ending your cover letter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">Example: \u201cI truly appreciate you taking the time to read and consider me for the position. I look forward to hearing from you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">Are you looking for more career tips? Visit our <a title=\"career advice\" href=\"http:\/\/content.monster.com.my\/career\/\">career center<\/a> here. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Malaysia has found itself comfortably well-off economically, and hopes to achieve high-income status in the coming years. Fittingly, this would mean an influx of job opportunities opening up for locals and foreigners, alike. In a sea of hopeful applicants, you need to have an edge above the others to get noticed by recruiters. A well [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7234,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-7233","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-resume-cover-letters"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7233"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7233\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20941,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7233\/revisions\/20941"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}