For the past couple of years, the process of applying for a vacancy is pretty straightforward. Candidates send resumes and cover letters to show the employers that they will be a perfect match for the company.
Cover letters have become a necessity because they give applicants a chance to shine ample light on their skills and personality traits which is not possible on a resume. That’s why it is crucial to learn the art and science of writing effective cover letters.
However, when it comes to applying to communication jobs, a solid cover letter can be a deal-breaker or vice versa. Since in that line of work professionals have to have exceptional communications or “peoples” skills, they must show that in their cover letters to justify their candidature.
In this article, we will go through some of the do’s and don’ts that aspirants should keep in mind while writing cover letters for communications jobs.
The Do’s
Following are some of the do’s that will improve the odds of applicants securing the job:
- Start with a hook
- Showcase your research skills
- Apply facts & figures
- Stay relevant & to the point
- Proper Formatting
Start with a hook
It can be something eye-catching; something shocking in the first part of the sentence and then releases the tension by clarifying the shocker.
There is a norm that job applicants often start with “I am writing in response to the position advertise by the ABC company”. There is no denying that it can be boring at times. Instead, they should start by highlighting past achievements or superior communications skills.
Showcase your research skills
While writing a cover letter for a communications job, applicants should never go blind. They must do some research and find the core values and mission statements of the company. This will help them in shaping their cover letter that will ring true with the HR of the company. Drawing parallels between their previous roles and the potential role at the new company will make it easier for the decision-makers to see it through.
Apply facts & figures
When highlighting their achievements in the cover letter for a communication specialist job, applicants have to be forthcoming and vigilant. They must show the positive results of their endeavors instead of the process.
For instance, instead of writing that “I have managed to organize the biggest fund-raising event in the history of ABC Company”, it will be better to say “My fund-raising event concluded with a sum of $2 million raised for the cause”. This will show the company that the applicant is result-oriented to the core.
Stay relevant & to the point
While writing a corporate communications cover letter, there is no need to beat around the bush. The prose must be taut and purposeful and the details entailed in the letter should corroborate with what the applicant can do.
On the subject of virtues and strengths, aspirants should stay on point. They will be better off avoiding cliches, like being a team player, or a person with a proactive approach. Instead of relying on old, dead phrases, they can use their vocabulary to amplify their career highlights with concrete examples.
Proper Formatting
One part of writing a cover letter for a communication job application is to apply proper business formatting style to the cover letter. It will not only make it easier for readers to follow but also show them that the applicant is indeed aware of the norms.
Following are some pointers to keep in mind:
- The font types and size should be standard and easy to read. There is no need to go novel for margins. Standard margins are fine.
- Keep in mind the standard criteria of writing a cover letter by starting with contact information.
- Length can vary depending on the job description and previous experience. Still, it is best to not go over a page.
- Proofreading and reviewing the cover letter multiple times will make it error-free and professional in its tone.
The Don’ts
Here is a rundown of some of the red flags that applicants must avoid if they want to write the best cover letter for the communication officer job:
- Referring to “I” a lot
- Cramming resume in the cover letter
- Going self-centric instead of company-centric
Referring to “I” a lot
The end goal of writing a cover letter is to show the employer that the applicant is worthy of the position. This can be achieved by highlighting what the applicant can do and how he can do it. Referring to “I” a lot can shift the focus from the job and the company to the applicant. This can hurt the chances of getting an interview call.
Cramming resume in the cover letter
A cover letter should complement the resume by further highlighting the skills and experience of an applicant. In many cases, they cram the whole resume into the cover letter which makes the resume and cover letter identical in their content. This is another wasted opportunity for the applicants.
Going self-centric instead of company-centric
A communications job cover letter is very much about addressing the needs of the company and not that of the applicant. Instead of asking or demanding what the company can do for the applicant, it is prudent to showcase skills and motivation that will help the company in achieving its long-term and short-term targets.
Conclusion
Writing a cover letter for a communication job can seem like a daunting task, and for all the right reasons. Applicants only have a page to prove their mettle and secure chances of employment with strict competition and odds against them. Still, practicing, and going through multiple drafts can help them a lot. Also, following the do’s and don’ts highlighted in this article will enable them to get the position of their dreams.
