Military Employment Guide: Cover Letters
Step By Step Guide to Employment: Cover Letters for Military
Cover letters are an important part of the application process. You will need to submit one in order to introduce yourself to the employer and get them to read your resume. Cover letters give you a chance to sell yourself and let the employer know you are serious about the job.
There are some things you should do to make sure your cover letter stands out and is taken seriously by the companies you are applying for. Finding that after military job can take a while but having a top-notch cover letter can put you ahead of the game.
a. Make the cover letter personal
Your contact information is super important. Make sure to include your name, physical address, telephone number, and a professional email address. This may mean creating a new one just for applying for jobs.
You will also need to address who you are writing to. Use a formal greeting, “Dear,” as well as Mr. or Ms followed by their last name. If you don’t know the correct way to address someone, use their full time.
You might have to take time to figure out the correct name for the hiring manager, although most of the time you can find them in the job description. You can do this by searching online, looking on the company website, or by simply contacting the company directly for the name.
b. Sympathize with the company’s issue(s)
Every company has a reason for the position you are applying for. They need to solve a problem, whether it is to bring in more money through sales or attend to the admin work that needs to be done. You can sympathize with the company’s issue, and what they are looking for in a new hire.
c. Offer yourself as a solution
Once you understand what the company is needing, you can offer yourself as a solution. How will you add value? What problems can you help solve? Show in words how what you have done in the past will be good for a future company. If a future employer can see how you specifically can help the company with their mission or goals, you have a higher chance of getting an interview.
d. Be detailed
Be detailed with your cover letter. You will want to highlight 2-3 of your skills and abilities. You will want to show them what you can bring to the company.
For the time you spent in the military, you can showcase how your military service can help you in a civilian job. You can showcase specific examples of your military experience or skills that show your abilities. Try to connect what you did in the military to the job you are trying to get.
Go through the job description to figure out what qualifications the employer is actually looking for. Include any achievements from your time in the military. Don’t include what you are missing. That will not help you be able to get the job.
Keep in mind that your cover letter is not just another resume. It should be no longer than one page, around 3-4 paragraphs.
In conclusion, thank them for their time and consideration and talk about your interest in the job. Let them know that you are looking forward to discussing the position further with a job interview. Finish the letter with a “Sincerely” and your full name.
You can use a cover letter template. Here are a few places to find them:
e. Send a paper copy of your cover letter (with resume) directly to the hiring manager
You will be sending a paper copy of your cover letter to the hiring manager, along with your resume. Make sure you have proofread the cover letter before you do so. You want the cover letter to be as professional and polished as possible.
Use business letter format and make sure you follow any instructions about the cover letter that is found in the job description. You will want to make sure that you have a cover letter that is customized for each job. You don’t want to use just one for every job you are applying for.
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