Clearly state your acceptance – You should indicate in your cover letter or somewhere in your CV that you are aware of your qualifications exceeding the expectation of the job. After which, you need to explain why in spite of this fact you would still want to be considered for the opening.

Highlight your strongest skills and connect them to the company – Link these skills to the growth prospects in the company, implying that working for that company would actually make allowance for such a sacrifice on your part.

If you have an employment gap, inform them – You could say that after taking a breather from work for legitimate reasons (such as child rearing, spouse career support, launching business in the family, among others) you are looking forward to work again in the industry which was and is your first and last love. Make sure to match this with your career objective.

Put emphasis on your abilities – Explain that you are willing to work in a lesser position to test your abilities and attitude, highlighting the fact that you are very hardworking and that you would very soon be a highly valuable member of the organization. Take away the focus from your education qualifications by putting your skills and achievements that would match perfectly with the job requisites.

Flatter the company a little – Use the cover letter to prepare the employer for the discrepancy in the match by subtle flattery, saying that it is an honor to work in the company and such honor would far exceed the little inconvenience of a lesser designation. Show confidence that you will prove as an asset to the company.

Here we discuss how to bring your basic, generic cover letters into documents specifically written for the industry and company you are applying.

Match your letter with the skills being sought – Take the job posting and list down the criteria the employer is looking for.  Address in paragraph form how your skills and experiences match the job.  You can also list the criteria and your qualifications.

Example:

Sample Job Posting #1:  Paragraph

MARKETING EXECUTIVE.  Handle product presentations and promotions to all above-target customers.  Insure in all existing projects as a support to the sales team and shall be required to support the company in meeting its corporate goals and sales target.  Gather database of all target market, architects, interior designers, engineers, and real estate developers in preparation of direct mail campaign to advertise showroom.

Cover Letter Sample #1

In my previous employment as Marketing Assistant in Granita Inc, I was responsible in gathering and acquiring new clients as well as creating several presentations (AVP, brochures, product list) that our company utilized in different exhibits and events.  I contributed in our company’s 60% rise in sales as well as acquiring two Fortune 500 companies as part of our clientèle. 

Sample Job Posting #2:  List

FEATURE WRITER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have an ample experience in Research and Writing

• Passionate about writing

• Adequate interest on the Internet

• Outgoing, team player, and can deal with deadlines very well

• Can work on any given shift

Cover Letter Sample #2

• Feature writing including research both online and offline as well as self-proofreading

• Feature writing experience for 5 years

• Coordinate with fellow feature writers to avoid overlapping of topics as well as creating concepts for upcoming issues

• Able to work on rotating shifts

Do not apply for jobs that you do not have ample qualifications – If you have ten years of child care experience and planning to apply for computer programming position, it would be best if you do not apply.  Unless you had ample training in computer programming, there would always be candidates who would have better qualifications than you have.  Instead, focus on applying for jobs that you are qualified for and spend time gaining additional skills or education that you need to prepare when applying for positions that are of higher rank.

If the gap is caused by higher studies, do tell –  A common reason for leaving a job is because of pursuing higher education such as a Master or Doctorate degree.  If that is your case, inform your employers.  This is actually seen as beneficial on your part, as it creates an impression that you are striving for higher knowledge and skill.  Remember that having a higher degree of education also entails higher pay.

If the gap is caused by maternity leave, do tell also – If the gap indicates the time period you took for having a child, then tell the employer so without any qualms.  However, be prepared when asked if you plan on having any more babies (in order to judge whether they would drop you again in the near future), in which you could answer “not in the near future” or—better yet—“not anymore.”

If the gap is caused by non-employment, tell them of other work that you have done – Telling your prospective employer that you did not work during those two years may bring a negative impression on you, that you are bummed out.  In this case, you can just tell of what you have done as a professional in order to fill out that void.  For instance, that you have helped your father or any relative set up their business.  You could also inform the employer that you have volunteered to work for a philanthropic cause or that you wanted to be with your family for some time before you started working again (with reasons ranging from a dying grandmother to raising very young children).  Remember to be sure that you have details laid out if the interviewer asks you to elaborate on the matter.

Label your employment history by years – This is especially applicable if you have gaps ranging for a few months.  Simply exclude the exact dates of employment beginnings and commencements and instead indicate the years that you are employed.  In that way, it will not be visible that you did not work for several months in between.

You need to ease the employer’s fears that you may not be dependable on the job, as unexplained gaps may be perceived of your unreliability in work.  It is best to explain the gap as simple and realistic as possible.

What Instances Require a Cover Letter

If you are not shaking hands with the hiring decision maker and introducing yourself, then you need a cover letter to introduce you. If you are shaking hands with the hiring manager, you are introducing yourself verbally and requesting an interview. In this case, hand them your resume without a cover letter.

On the other hand, if you are sending a resume by mail, if you give your resume to a friend to hand in, or if you leave your resume with the hiring manager’s secretary then you are not shaking the hiring manager’s hand and you need to have a cover letter enclosed with your resume.

Cover Letters Should Be Brief and Simple

Hiring managers only glance at cover letters. They have many resumes to read out of which they will select a few candidates for interviews. I recommend letters be 3 or 4 paragraphs.

Many people  just regurgitate their resume. This is a waste the writer’s and reader’s time.

Cover Letter Content

Address these 4 topics in a succinct manner.

1) For what position are you applying?
2) How did you learn of the position or company?
3) Why are you perfect for the position?
4) Who will contact who?