How to Personalize your CV to the Job Listing
Once you have created a winning cover letter, you will then need to customize it to your job applications. While it may seem bothersome and tedious to customize your cover letter to each job that you apply for, it is worth the extra effort because most employees think that cover letters are a valuable part of candidate evaluation. However, if you are still unsure how to customize a standard cover letter, then read on.
- Change the administrative details
A quick and effective way to showcase some form of customization is to simply write down the hiring manager’s name at in your greeting. This helps make the cover letter seem more personal and therefore makes you stand out more from the rest who may have simply put down “hiring manager” or “to whom it may concern”. If you do not know who it is (maybe the name is not listed on the job advertisement) then you can always research or make a quick call or email to find out.
- Customize your qualifications
The most important component of your cover letter is your skills and qualifications, so make sure it is perfectly aligned with what the company wants. If the job application asks for experience with a certain type of skill, then ensure that you put down your experience with it. For example, if the resume asks for “experience with SQL”, then you can put down “five years of experience with SQL”. Putting down the experiences and skills that you have that coordinates well with the job listing, along with a quantifiable number help boost your chances.
- Ensure that your personal value align
Companies have certain values that they choose to uphold, and these values often play an integral part of the work environment and how they choose to operate. If you find that your personal values support the company’s, then mention it in your resume by using adjectives from the job listing in your cover letter. For example, if the job asks for an “enthusiastic, experienced team player”, then you should put those exact words down in your own cover letter.
- Put down anyone who you know
As many people say, “it is not about what you know, but who you know.” Having an important connection is the key to getting a job. By name dropping certain people who may have worked for or is working for the company, you would immediately grab attention. It is especially advised for you to do this if the person is either in an influential position or is within the same faculty that you are applying for.
