The job application market no longer relies on a standardized application approach. Tailored efforts have turned into one of the most essential practices. Moreover, recruiters and ATS systems are being continuously trained to eliminate job applications that don’t match the role. This is why aligning your cover letter with the job description has become a necessity.
Matching your cover letter to the job description means connecting your skills to the mission, values, and requirements of the company. It shows that your unique value and enthusiasm for the job role increase your chances of getting the job.
Continue reading to know how you can turn your cover letter into a document that aligns with the job descriptions.
What Does It Mean To Align Your Cover Letter To A Job Description?
Matching your cover letter to a job description means bypassing the process of using generic applications by creating a tailored letter.
It involves using a persuasive tone to explain to the recruiter why you are the ideal candidate for that specific job role.
Instead of describing your whole career story, a matched letter focuses on discussing your skills that are essential for a specific role.
Key traits of this document include:
- The incorporation of keywords and phrases from the job description
- Highlighting accomplishments that are needed for the role
- The specific company’s knowledge and how the candidate will contribute to the goals
- Direct addressing of the specific requirements that are asked in the job role
A proper alignment ensures that your cover letter has the exact answer the hiring manager has been searching for.
The process demands a lot of time, making things challenging for busy professionals. This is why many of them choose to work with an experienced NZ cover letter writer.
What Are The Benefits Of Having A Personalised Cover Letter?
According to stats, 83% of hiring managers prefer hiring candidates who have a tailored cover letter.
Matching your cover letter to the job description matters because it shows your genuine intention and interest in the job role.
Moreover, it is often the first thing that a recruiter reads. A personalized story shows that you value the company and are ready to blend into its culture!
The table below will give an overview of the advantages that come with this approach.
| Shows attention | Shows that you have researched the role and are really interested |
| First impression | Sets a strong first impression in the eyes of the recruiter |
| Personalization | A chance to explain your career story in your personal voice |
| Vital skills | Shows your writing and communication abilities in professional settings |
| ATS-friendliness | Makes it easy to pass the ATS screening by incorporating keywords |
Who Should Match Their Cover Letter To A Job Description?
One of the most common misunderstandings is that this approach is only for candidates for a specific level.
However, a strong, well-matched cover letter provides clear context through evidence and clear explanations of your career gaps.
According to 55% of the recruiters, not tailoring cover letters is one of the biggest mistakes made by candidates!
Take a look at the situations below where having a cover letter is a MUST!
You Are A Fresh Graduate
A well-matched cover letter helps fresh graduates with insufficient experience to focus more on explaining their skill sets.
You Are Using Templates
Template usage means a lack of a personal touch. This is exactly what makes your application weak. It leaves no chances for you to be a memorable candidate.
So if you have used one, editing it can strengthen your professional voice!
You Are Facing Constant Rejections
Many recruiters only spend a minute on a cover letter, and there. If you are struggling to get noticed in the job market, a personalized approach in your cover letter is the one thing you need to grab their attention!
Remember, the rejections often come because of a poorly structured resume as well. For that, you can choose to work with professional CV writing services to increase your chances of getting an interview.
How To Match Your Cover Letter To A Job Description?
A personalized cover letter shows you as a standout candidate.
Beyond just a concise description of your professional life, a cover letter offers you an opportunity to tell the recruiter in detail why you are a strong fit.
Here is how you need to do it the right way:
Read The Job Description Carefully
Before writing your cover letter, you need to begin by reading the job description in detail. A clear understanding of what the recruiter wants is essential to write a highly-tailored job description.
Here is what you need to focus on,
- The core responsibilities mentioned in the job description
- Qualifications and skills required
- Repeated keywords or phrases are present
- The experience they are searching for
Analyze And Extract Keywords From The Description
Use the exact phrases from your job description to pass through the ATS systems and catch the recruiter’s attention. The keywords are usually associated with,
- Technical skills
- Tools to be used
- Certifications
- Industry-specific jargon
Make sure to blend them seamlessly in your sentence to describe your real experience.
Tell How Your Experience Brings The Value
One of the greatest ways to create a standout cover letter is to apply this easy formula in your document.
What the job asks you to do + Your experience + Results
This powerful combination shows your impact and how you can proficiently bring a solution to the employer.
For instance:
| Job requirement | Experience | Outcomes |
| Social media management | Managed the social media profiles of 10+ brands. | Increased customer engagement and higher conversions. |
This approach clearly provides proof that you are capable of not only handling the responsibility but bringing in some real results as well!
Write A Strong Introduction
The opening paragraph is one of the most important parts of your cover letter. It is your initial chance to impress the hiring manager!
You need to make sure that it instantly tells that you haven’t applied blindly, but your interest aligns with the mission and values of the company!
Key characteristics of this section are:
- The exact job title
- Name of the company
- Your experience and how it matches the company’s requirements
Remember, a well-customized intro is your best chance to impress the scanning tools and the recruiter as well.
Divide Skills Into Body Paragraphs
Before starting this section, candidates need to remember one thing. The purpose of a tailored cover letter is to show the hiring manager what you can do for them.
You don’t need to tell them everything about yourself; instead:
- Discuss the key achievements only
- Describe the experience using the keywords in the job description
- Dedicate each paragraph to a single skill
- Skip the unrelated skills
Skills matter the most on your resume and on the cover letter as well. If writing skills are an issue for you, all you need is a professional CV writer. They will help you eliminate common formatting and language mistakes that can be a hurdle to getting interview opportunities.
Write A Strong Closing Paragraph
By the end, you need to reiterate your interest in the role and the company. Thank the hiring manager for their time while adding a strong call to action.
This shows that you are available and willing to move ahead with them to the next step, the interview!
What Are The Tips You Need To Remember While Matching Your Cover Letter?
Creating a specific cover letter does take a lot of time. But with a smart approach, you can handle the process quickly while guaranteeing positive outcomes.
Here is what you need to remember:
- Visit the company’s website to get an overview of their culture
- Align your cover letter’s tone according to the company’s style
- Try to complete the letter on one page
- Use short paragraphs for readability
- Make use of a formal tone
- Leave ample white space on the page
Pro tip: While tailoring may come with its own set of requirements, you don’t need to compromise on the ATS-friendly part!
So make sure to,
- Use clear and readable fonts
- Avoid the use of tables and images
- Use keywords naturally in the sentences
FAQS
Do I need to rewrite my cover letter for each job application?
No! Instead of rewriting it from scratch, you can choose to use a foundational structure but customize the opening paragraph and update the skills, keywords, and experiences according to each job description.
What is the ideal length of a customized cover letter?
A cover letter is supposed to be written on a single page with an ideal word range of 250-400 words. Customization should be about highlighting relevant skills while saving the recruiters’ time!
What is more important? Resume matching or cover letter matching?
Both are equally important. However, a cover letter matching has a strong impact as it offers you a chance to explain your alignment in a more detailed manner.
Wrapping Up
A cover letter isn’t just a complementary document with your resume; it is a powerful, persuasive tool that gives you a personal introduction while demonstrating your genuine interest in the role! Learning to tailor it to your job description can help you improve your visibility and present yourself as a standout candidate in a competitive job market!
