What to Include in Your Cover Letter
The goal of a cover letter is to stand out to employers and secure yourself an interview. That, along with your resume is the first taste of who you are that potential employers see. It’s one of the first chances you have to make an impression that sticks yet so many people struggle to write one that is compelling. A cover letter is meant to entice employers to want to learn more about you and convince them to want to meet with you or read your full resume.
Any chance you have to allow yourself to stand out is one worth taking-but what should you be writing in your cover letter?
For starters, you should not just be sending the same cover letter to every job, while you can do this, it does better to write a specific cover letter for the specific job you are shooting for. What is it that you want to be doing? Why do you think you can do it best? Every job and company is different and when you write a cover letter, often times copy and pasting the same one you’ve been using for years isn’t the best way to go about it.
That being said, here are a couple of things you can include in your Cover Letter to stand out:
Previous Experience:
As with your resume, including aspects of work you’ve done in the past can be useful in appealing yourself to a new position. While a resume is typically done in a list like format, the Cover Letter is your chance to go more in depth about the kind of work you’ve done in the past. While on your resume you may list your previous duties on your cover letter you can go more in depth about what those duties gave to both you and your previous employers. Take what you learned from those positions and explain how those experiences will allow you to do this new job in a way others maybe cant.
Skillsets Gained:
Your previous experiences likely taught you things in regards to specific skills-talk about them! Explain how what you used to do has made you as a worker even more valuable to potential future employers. Your skills and the specific way you can use them is what employers are looking for. How is it that you can make it clear that what you already know how to do can contribute to what you want to do for this new job. Tailor the skills you talk about having around the job you are applying for.
Your Strengths as a Worker
Aside from all that you have to offer in regards to your experience and skills, the cover letter is a great place to explain what it is about you that makes you an asset. Are you good with people? Do you love to write? How is it that you view interactions with others? Your unique personality gives you an edge, but only if you know how to communicate it. This is where something like The Quiggle Assessment can help you. Through helping you identify the words to use in describing your strengths the Quiggle Assessment gives you the confidence necessary to portray yourself with eloquence and confidence. What is it about who you are as a person that allows you to excel at what it is you’re trying to do?
Why You Will Excel
With everything listed above it’s important to state clearly what it is about you that makes you the right fit for this job. What is it about the company that you see in yourself as well? Why does this kind of job excite you and propel you to exceed? From the skills you have acquired through your experience to the specific strengths you possess as an individual, use the last part of your cover letter as a last chance to stand out. Make it clear why you not only want the job, but why they should want you as an employee.
It’s easy to see a Cover Letter as just another necessary document, but the way you write it allows you to stand out and make yourself known. Don’t let yourself be another resume in a stack, let them know the kind of person you are. Let yourself be seen and don’t be afraid to let it be known why you want this job and how you are the best candidate for it.
When an employer can see you as a real person they are less likely to brush you off as just another paper in a stack.
Want to know how to articulate who you are, your strengths, and a power pitch? The Quiggle Assessment was created for just that. Take it today to learn how to market yourself with authenticity and confidence.
Lead Well,
How Do I Make My Resume Stand Out?
Every new job posting is exciting at first glance, but that excitement is often replaced with discouragement after seeing how many have already applied for said position. With countless applicants piling up for the position you want-how do you keep your own resume from getting lost to the masses?
The important thing to start with is the purpose of the resume. A resume is meant to tell someone not just what you have done, but what you can do and essentially make a case for yourself to get the job. Anyone can make a list of all the jobs they’ve had in the past and slap their name on the top of it, but your resume is likely the first impression a recruiter has of you-don’t bore them. Don’t just present yourself as a potential employee, but as the valuable and unique individual person you are.
Your individuality is the only thing none of the other applicants have to offer, but you have to present it. Here are a couple of things you can add to your resume to help you stand out:
Your Personal Power Pitch:
At the top of every resume is a name and contact information, from there, the eyes follow the natural flow of the resume from previous jobs to skills, etc. Your name is the first thing they learn about you, but what if below your name you add a short and powerful sentence about who you are and what you have to give? A power pitch is meant to convey eloquently who you are in a way that sparks curiosity to hear more. It’s a way to turn your name on the top of the paper, into a living and breathing person for the one reading it to learn about. When you take the Quiggle Assessment you are walked through the process of creating your power pitch because we believe that there is a powerful confidence to be found when you know how to present yourself. What is it that you do? Why do you do it? And how do you do it? Finding the right words is vital due to the fact that you only really have space for 1-2 sentences at the top of a resume.
Volunteer Experience:
While it may sound frivolous to include in a job application, volunteer experience allows you to materialize more and more as a real person to the one reading your resume. Remember, the person reading your resume has likely been reading them all day, they’ve seen countless names-and in a pile of names, make them see you as a person. A huge part of the human experience is empathy, when you volunteer you are giving your most valuable asset, time, to a cause you obviously care about. Your volunteer experience makes it clear that you are not just a worker, but a member of a community. Let your volunteer work speak for you in the way it allows your passions and soft spots to be seen.
Skills AND Achievements:
Typically on your resume there is a space to explain the specific skill sets you possess that can be of value to an employer. This is without a doubt a space on your resume where you can stand out. And while skills are crucial, it can also be useful to mention the things you have achieved in your life either professionally or personally that you’re particularly proud of. What projects have you done in the past that lit your soul on fire? What’s something you excel at in the day to day with others that would add to a workplace environment? Don’t just tell them what you’ve done, but also what you’re proud of.
Enticing Descriptions of Past Responsibilities:
In the world of resume writing, not everyone comes to it as a copywriter-but if you want to stand out, it may be time to take a couple notes on writing skillfully. Under each previous job you have it’s important to include what your duties were at the time. While it may feel tempting or even logical to simply write down “Handled customer service calls'', the fact of the matter is that a lot of people do just that-but how do YOU do it? What exactly did you do for customers that used to call you? Finding the right adjectives and compelling verbiage to use allows your standard run of the mill duties to stand out.
Conclusion:
At the end of the day, your resume is your first impression. With so many people gunning for the same positions you are, your best bet is to portray your individuality. Let your resume show who you are and what you care about. What is it that you want this person to know about you? Let yourself be known, not just your skill sets or previous jobs.
Lead Well,
Why Do Job Seekers Need to Take The Quiggle Assessment?
A well-written resume, cover letter, and face-to-face interview are not enough for employers to hire you in 2021. Companies no longer want to absorb the high cost of a poor hiring decision and turnover. They want to be more precise and efficient. Your education, skills, and previous experiences are still important; however, predicting future success also depends on candidates’ personalities. Personality tests like The Quiggle Assessment help companies improve candidate screening, identify quality applicants, and increase employee retention.
How do job seekers benefit by taking The Quiggle Assessment?
Whether you are applying for your first job, changing careers, or working your way up the corporate ladder, you have to get noticed in the applicant pool. The Quiggle Assessment identifies your strengths, discerns which careers are ideal for you, helps you stand out, and gives you the tools to market yourself.
By taking The Quiggle Assessment, you will make better-informed choices and be one step ahead of the businesses that use personality assessments as a hiring tool. The Quiggle Assessment measures your emotional intelligence, teamwork abilities, adaptability, work ethic, and motivation. By creating a Success Slogan and Personalized Success Story, you will attract a company’s attention by touting your finest traits with confidence. You will also create a dynamic narrative that hooks potential employers and shows off your value and relevancy.
Here is a letter I received from a college graduate named Jarvis:
My name is Jarvis. I’m 27 years old with a degree in political science and history. Two months ago, I was applying for a fellowship to advance my career. My mentor encouraged me to take The Quiggle Assessment, and it completely changed my outlook on my professional and personal life.
I have always been a nurturing person taking care of everyone, so it was no surprise that my Success Symbol was The Guardian. However, the real magic happened when I worked through the Power-Pitch Generator. I had no idea The Guardian was also a leader and a highly desired personality in a team environment. The Quiggle Assessment was an eye-opening experience for me because it made me realize I can lead a group in my way.
By using keywords and a powerful hook, I was able to articulate my strengths with ease. I embraced my conscientious, authentic, and caring personality and understood how strongly I believed in bringing multiple people together to achieve an optimal outcome.
The day after I took The Quiggle Assessment, I had an interview for this fellowship, and one of the first questions the directors asked me was, “What do you think it takes to be a leader?” I confidently responded by telling them how I led, rather than generic personality strengths everybody mentions when they think of leadership. I described my authentic self and said, “The way I lead is by collaboration. I believe when you pull the team together and get them working towards the same goals, you will have greater success.”
I was excited that I had stellar answers to all their questions and that my responses highlighted my personality. I walked away from the interview with assurance. A week later, I got the position.
Since then, I have encouraged many friends to take The Quiggle Assessment. I’m very grateful for how much more confidence I have in myself and all my future endeavors.
Thank you,
Jarvis
How does The Quiggle Assessment lead to better hiring decisions?
The Quiggle Assessment provides valuable insights into candidates’ behavioral tendencies, how well they work in a team environment, and if they fit into a company’s culture.
Businesses can assess candidates’ personalities for a wide range of job opportunities. By utilizing the results from the assessment, employers can predict employee performance successfully. They can select candidates who enhance their current teams by choosing employees with different personalities and Success Symbols from their current employees. Moreover, companies can increase the quality and retention of their new hires through this screening process.
What are some qualities The Quiggle Assessment reveals about job seekers?
By utilizing the assessment, companies can accurately assess personality traits like stability, communication skills, honesty, leadership, motivation, critical thinking, sociability, passion for learning, curiosity, ambition, self-confidence, initiative, empathy, and creative thinking. The Quiggle Assessment combined with structured interviews can help companies focus on employee quality while reducing hiring and training costs.
What are the long-term benefits of utilizing The Quiggle Assessment?
The Quiggle Assessment helps measure characteristics, stability and develops employees. Businesses will know how much training employees require. The assessment also helps with team building by revealing each employee’s strengths and weaknesses and their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Furthermore, enterprises will understand future workforce development and planning by positioning employees in the roles that allow them to thrive.
Lead Well,
