Cover letter is an essential part of job application, since it demonstrates a potential fit between employer’s specific requirements & job-seeker’s skill set & expertise. It customizes your application for a particular role & industry & should be always accompanied with your resume.
Cover letter become all the more important when you are looking to change careers, since it is a wonderful document to explain your skills than can be transferable for a particular role &/or industry & can be put to use to generate maximum benefit/solve pain point of the organization.
So how do you structure a cover letter that tells your story, indicates that you are exploring a career change & portrays how your skills & experience can benefit the corporation:
- Show your passion about the target industry & corporation: The first paragraph of your cover letter should demonstrate why are keen to work for particular sector/industry & what excites you about the company-It can be a company’s working culture, its contribution for sustainable development/growth, core value or CSR initiatives Demonstrate that you have done detailed research about the company.
- Communicate your background & transferable skills: Cover letter should not confuse the reader about how your skills & experience can benefit them. Mention how your professional background, skills & expertise & will be a strong match.
Here is an example of a middle paragraph of a strategy consultant trying to move from consulting to commercial role in manufacturing sector.
My endeavour as a consultant has always been to help my clients augment their top line and bottom line through my analytical based consulting solutions. I possess deep expertise in the areas of financial management, go to market strategy, investment strategy, corporate restructuring & business level strategy. I have led consulting projects for India’s biggest conglomerates & advised their senior management on strategies to accelerate revenue growth.
This paragraph addresses the requirement from the job posting 1) developing financial strategies 2) Formulating marketing & operation budgets. Equally important ,the paragraph addresses the pain point -showing how candidate can get buy in from management & different departments on yearly budgets.
3. Address the non-existent expertise: Once you have hooked employer with your transferable skills & expertise, showcase that although you have not worked in a manufacturing firm, it is a non-issue.
Here is an example:
While my career does not include a tenure in manufacturing, I have successfully worked in totally unrelated industries before- I have successfully built product strategy to launch financial services product for leading financial institutions.
4. Wow the reader with your compelling achievements: Decision makers are always excited about achievements, specifically those that align with what they would like to see their employees achieve for their company. I would recommend jobseekers to keep 3 to 4 achievements in mind that highlights successes relevant to the position they are targeting/applying.
5. Tipping Point: Since your resume may not showcase relevant experience the way someone who has been in the role/industry for years might, embrace your cover letter as a chance to show you are a great fit despite the specific lack of employment history. A powerfully written cover letter can convince the hiring manager that your profile is worth to be considered & you may be called for an interview.
