best way to sell yourself in a cover letter

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How To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter (With Examples)

How To Write A Cover Letter
When Is A Cover Letter Necessary
Free Cover Letter Templates
Cover Letter Mistakes To Avoid
Cover Letter Tips
How To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter

Find a Job You Really Want In

When sending in a job application, cover letters are your chance to show off your personality and why you’re a great fit for the position. It can be difficult to strike a good balance between talking about your qualifications and adding some personality and flavor to your cover letter . Making sure your cover letter shines is a great way to make your job application stand out and get noticed by hiring managers. So many of the cover letters and applications that pass through hiring teams are bland, so taking the time to perfect your cover letter can really impress hiring teams. Key Takeaways: Selling yourself in a cover letter is your chance to show how you are qualified, unique, and valuable. To sell yourself in a cover letter, first match your skills and values with that of the employer. Use the four paragraph, 250-400 words structure of a cover letter to demonstrate your skills and how they can be used for the employer. Use keywords from the job description to stand out. In This Article Skip to section Why Is It Important To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter? How To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter Using The Cover Letter Format To Sell Yourself Tips for Writing a Winning Cover Letter Sample Cover Letter Why Are Cover Letters Important? Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs Show More Why Is It Important To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter?

Cover letters are opportunities to promote your qualifications in a manner that is more personal and in-depth than a resume . You will want to use this opportunity because a cover letter lets you show:

How you are qualified. A cover letter gives you a chance to explain your skills and experience with more context. The reader should be able to see that you can back up your resume.

Why you are unique and valuable. You can use a cover to stand out among other applicants and show what you will be able to contribute to as an employee.

Personality. Inevitably, with writing, your personality and interpersonal skills come through. The reader can interpret a little bit more about who you are as a person and what kind of fit you would be for the company.

Combined, all these should impress the reader and make them want to learn more about you.

To sell yourself in a cover letter you want to:

Match your skills and values with the employer. You need to be relevant. What’s more, you need to be indispensably relevant. By aligning yourself to the needs of the company, you show that you have potential to be an invaluable asset.

Demonstrate your skills with an engaging example. Now that your skills are matched up, you need to back them up. Provide an example that shows how your skills were successfully put into action.

Show how your skills can help the employer. Underscore how your skills can contribute to success. You want to convince the reader that your skills are tools that would be best put to use within the company.

You are making an argument for yourself. Take the reader along, prove to them your worth, and convince them that you are exactly who they need.

Using The Cover Letter Format To Sell Yourself

A successful cover letter all comes down to how you structure your argument and what you focus on. The format of a cover letter should explore how your skills have been successfully put into action in the past and demonstrate what you can offer to your potential employer.

A cover letter is between 250 and 400 words long and is broken up into four paragraphs. Generally a cover letter follows this structure:

Introduction. This both provides context and is your hook that makes the reader want to learn more about you.

Previous experience. Explore one or two previous experiences that demonstrate how your skills were put into action and led to success. It is particularly helpful if you can provide quantifiable results.

What you have to offer. Match your skills and values with that of the company to show how you can fulfill their needs. You want to make yourself an asset to their success.

Conclusion. Wrap everything up in a logical manner and provide a call to action to prepare for the next steps of the application process.

However, understand that is is only a guideline. What’s more important is that you show how you are qualified and what you have to offer for your employer’s future success.

Tips for Writing a Winning Cover Letter

While there’s no sure-fire formula for writing a winning cover letter, there are a few things that you can do to make sure your letter stands out. Here are a few tips to help you get noticed and write the perfect cover letter every time:

Switch it up. When you apply for a new job , you should write a new cover letter. Not every job description and company is the same, so it’s best to edit your cover letter to specifically address each job posting and company.

Focus on the opening. Cover letters are often dull, so to really put your best foot forward you should make the opening extra interesting.

If you can pull your reader in from the beginning, you can make a great impression. If you want to make your opening extra attention-grabbing you can start by:

Showing off your passions

Connecting with the company

Telling a story

Writing a belief statement

Highlight a mutual connection

List your accomplishments

Avoid rewriting your resume. Cover letters get a bad rap since they often repeat what’s already written on a resume. While you can’t avoid repeating some things on the two documents, it’s a good idea to make them pretty separate.

Keep it positive. You should always have a positive tone and show that you love what you do. Talk about your favorite professional experiences or what you loved doing in past jobs.

Make it personal. If you can find the name of the hiring manager, you should personally address them in the salutation.

Talk about potential deal-breakers. Sometimes you might have something on your resume that would give an employer pause , so cover letters are the perfect time to try and calm their worries.

Leave your education behind. If you’re a few years out of school and you have your education history on your resume , you don’t have to detail your education. Only bring up your college or advanced degrees if it’s particularly relevant to the job.

Go short and sweet. You might think that the more you can pack into your cover letter, the more impressive it will be, but you should go for short and sweet.

Find job keywords. Job postings usually use certain keywords that are related to the skills employers are looking for and the responsibilities that they’re looking for someone to fill.

Highlight what you can do for the company. Often people write cover letters to express why the company is the best fit or what the company can do for them. Instead, you should focus on what skills and expertise you can bring to the company.

Pick the most relevant examples. Cover letters can get lengthy when you try to include everything that might be useful for a hiring manager to know. Instead, focus on what’s most relevant to the job description and the industry of the company.

Bring out stats. Whenever you can use numbers and stats, you have a chance to impress hiring managers. Instead of explaining that you boosted sales, find a number that expresses that better, like “increased sales by 125%” to give proof.

Sample Cover Letter

We’re going to show you a sample cover letter that will stand out from the rest of the applicants’ letters. You can use this as a starting point to make your cover letter the best it can be.

Dear Mrs. Smith, As soon as I learned that ABC Tech was hiring, I knew that I had to apply. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved working with computers . That has followed me into my professional life and I am passionate about connecting people with their perfect device, starting with my first job at ABC Tech’s New York City location as a sales associate . My extensive history in sales for tech companies uniquely positions me to excel with ABC Tech. I have worked in consumer-facing tech sales since 2009 and have worked in managerial positions since 2016. My first job was with ABC Tech and I understand the catalog extensively after working with you and keeping up with your new product releases. In response to the responsibilities that were listed on the job description, I have: Experience in customer-facing sales positions Experience with customer service Managerial skills A proven record of exceeding sales goals Award-winning leadership skills I am eager to hear back from you. If you have any questions about my skills or qualifications, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. Sincerely, David Baum

Why Are Cover Letters Important?

Cover letters are an important way to highlight how your unique blend of experience and skills matches the job description’s requirements. This gives you the opportunity to stand out among other applicants.

To really get the most out of your cover letter, you need to include experiences that aren’t on your resume or explain your work history , plus add a little bit of personality.

Since cover letters are more open-ended than resumes, you get a unique opportunity to really sell yourself to an employer . They can be especially helpful if employers don’t require you to fill out questions when submitting your application.

Cover letters are also a chance to show off your personality and help the employer determine if there’s a culture fit . These days, companies look for new hires who will not only contribute their skills to advance company goals, but also help them create a welcoming and vibrant company culture.

Finding ways to include personality in your cover letter can help you stand out and prove that you’d be a great culture fit.

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Amanda is a writer with experience in various industries, including travel, real estate, and career advice. After taking on internships and entry-level jobs, she is familiar with the job search process and landing that crucial first job. Included in her experience is work at an employer/intern matching startup where she marketed an intern database to employers and supported college interns looking for work experience.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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How to Sell Yourself in a Cover Letter

In This Guide:

Research, baby, get personal, your top 3 secret sauce ingredients, add substance, call your wolf-pack, go and get it, takeaways: how to sell yourself in a cover letter.

Have you ever gotten all excited about a job ad you saw, only to bump into the “writer's block” minutes later, while starting to write your Cover letter? Typically, most of us find it easier to “shower” others with superlatives, but feel more or less challenged when we have to showcase our own skills. So if you answered “yes” to the above question, you`re definitely not the only one. Not to worry, though – we`re here and got you covered with expert tips on How to sell yourself in a Cover letter!!

In this post, we will take you through the following Cover letter tips let you in on how to sell yourself in a Cover letter. This is what you are going to learn:

“RESEARCH, BABY !”: Turn into a Secret agent .

Get personal : Address the recruiter by their name, if you know it.

Your top 3 secret sauce ingredients : tell them why they need to choose YOU.

Add substance: Make the second paragraph a firework of your achievements.

No clashes : Be relatable to the role and the company.

Creativity – WHEN & HOW MUCH: to create the WOW effect.

Call your wolf-pack : Establish a connection.

Go and get it : Finish it off with a strong CTA (Call to action).

Take a look at this Cover letter that has all of the above components:

Dear Mrs Stavropolou,

I am delighted to share with you my motivation for the position of Architect at company a2o.

As a child I have always been mesmerized by looking at streets and buildings` sizes, colours and the emotions that they infused in me and other people as well.

At age 12 I already dreamt of becoming an Architect.

That explains why I am naturally drawn to a2o as an “agency of dreamers with a firm grip on reality”.

What better mission for a dreamer with sparkling vision and firmly planted in reality than being united for success with other dreamers? ☺

Hello! My name is Tanya! I`m an Architect with 4 years’ experience in Interior design (Hotel & Home furniture, Leisure and Innovative Montessori classroom designs) and Landscape design, paired with a strong motivation to span the effects of 3D art beyond merely just comfort and functionality to elegance and exquisite style.

Moreover, I constantly upgrade my professional skills in line with the latest industry trends. As you can see from my portfolio, in order to create certain ambience and transmit emotions with it, I combine a large number of software’s:

However, I`m always inspired to get acquainted and certified in new professional software. I love to keep it fresh and lively, when it comes to creating my every next 3D art design.

What attracts me to a2o, apart from the diverse range of nationalities in the company, is the fact that via expert knowledge sharing you cross “borders” and “build” bridges (literally and metaphorically) between the academic world, the arts and society.

I am eager and excited to bring to the “table” my set of Creative Artist skills to a2o`s multidisciplinary team.

I am happy to further discuss with you a2o projects and our mutual collaboration.

By browsing our 500+ carefully designed Cover letter examples here , you'll kick to the curb any fear to present yourself in the best possible light and sell yourself with a memorable Cover letter, without selling yourself short. Not only you'll find the right template, but the dreaded Cover letter will turn into a piece of cake.

Does it still sound a bit overwhelming?! Let`s get down to business and craft your Cover letter to be proud of!

Upload & Check Your Resume

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

Turn into a Secret agent for a day with One mission – of the company. Show that you know the organization inside out.

Have you ever been on a date where you could barely open your mouth, as the other person was talking on and On and ON about them and did not ask you a single question?

Well, I guess this is pretty much how Recruiters feel, when they read a Cover letter, full of fluff that says nothing about the company or how the candidate can meet the employer`s needs.

Of course, you don’t need to memorize the organization`s history by heart or cite it year by year as a boring history lesson, but investing the necessary time in a proper preliminary research will demonstrate to the Recruiter that you are serious, committed and don’t just apply blindly to any jobs, hopping from one to another.

Moreover, interpret the Mission, Vision and Goals of the organization through your own prism of aspirations and enchant your readers by stating exactly why you resonate with their mission. Imagine a day in your life as an employee of that company and transmit in your Cover letter the enthusiasm with which you will start your work every day! This is a powerful way to build rapport and end up on a shortlist for an interview for the darn job!

Address the recruiter by their name, if you know it.

Take a good look at the job ad for the names of the job poster. If you don’t find it there, double check as well on the company website for the correct HR representative for the role you are interested in.

Another creative way to get the right contact, that leaves a lasting impression, is to simply call the HR department, express interest in the job role and ask to which name you should address in your Cover letter.

Try it next time you are applying and let us know what the result was!

Take a look at this example:

“Dear Mrs Stavropolu,

I am delighted to share with you my motivation for the position of Account manager at company XYZ.”

And if you want to dive deeper, here is plenty more to read and learn on how to address your Cover letter, so it sells you how it should: What's The Best Way To Address A Cover Letter? .

tell them why they need to choose YOU.

To charm the HR at “Hello” is required a bit more than just copy/pasting some company facts in a generic Cover letter that drains the life out of anyone reading it. So to infuse your motivation with more selling power, in the very first, introductory paragraph you need to demonstrate flawlessly two simple, but crucial things:

You know really well the company and resonate with its mission;
You bring to the “table” the right skills combo that the managers die to have in-house.

Best way to go about it is to read carefully the job description and clearly highlight the TOP 3 skills you have that make you a catch that the company couldn’t afford to miss.

Once you have started on point with this hook statement, rest assured your Cover letter will be read from start to end.

Example of a more formal Opening of a Cover letter:

“I would like to express my interest in the job post Grant writer, currently open at the European Commission. The devotion to social innovation and inclusion of underrepresented groups that the EC demonstrates has always been an inspiration for me. Also experiencing the potential of EC ERASMUS+ program as an international student has been one of the lead factors that have inspired me to pursue a career as a Grant writer. In addition, my extensive 6+ years’ experience as a Lead EU Funds Project writer for various international companies and NGOs is asset for the European Commission, as well as for communities worldwide”

More on the proper structure of how to sell your skills in a Cover letter, you can find here: What Should Your Cover Letter Say .

Make the second paragraph a firework of your achievements.

As they say, talk the talk and walk the walk!

Stating your skills right at the start of your Motivation wouldn’t necessary guarantee you a seat for an interview, unless you back it all up with the relevant achievements and work experiences. Think of situation/s where you successfully solved a work issue and briefly note it, leaving your audience confident that you will rock it at the current role too.

This would definitely intrigue them to find out more about you! So don’t be timid to take the stage!

Bring numbers to your aid, especially if you`re after a Sales or another related position.

“Via the customized Branding strategy I have created at my past role as Lead Marketing manager, we have increased our Amazon eBook sales by 70% for 2021.”

One disclaimer, though : make sure you avoid exaggerating or untruthful statements, as they are quickly detected, especially by experienced HR managers. Plus, there`s nothing that wins others quite like authenticity.

Be relatable to the role and the company.

Now that we spoke so much about what you should write in a Cover letter, let`s touch on what you better avoid.

As you probably would not go to an interview for a Preschool teacher, groomed in Prom dress and on high heels, the same way you would not want to apply for an Accountant position at a very conservative company with a Cover letter that would better suit a Graphic Artist role by design and word choice. Right?

Rather than saying you are motivated, let your examples speak about your passion for the job. Hence, stay away from over-worn words that you can see in 90% of the Cover letters out there:

“Self-starter”, “Detail-oriented”

“I`m confident I would be the perfect person for the job”

And some more:

“To whom it may concern”

“I`m not sure you know”

“Please, feel free to”

To increase the capacity of your Cover letter to sell yourself as an expert, aim to use Power Adjectives and Action verbs to describe yourself.

For some fresh ideas, check out here: https://enhancv.com/blog/words-to-describe-yourself-on-resume-and-cover-letter/ .

WHEN & HOW MUCH to get the WOW effect.

Try to match the tone of the organization, while still keeping your unique voice. Being relatable keeps you in the game! Of course, for more Artistic or Humanitarian roles you can let yourself experiment with bold graphic design of your Cover letter, emotions display and storytelling.

More tips on Cover letter design consistency for success, you can read in our post here: https://enhancv.com/blog/cover-letter-design/ .

However, always keep in mind that while you need to come across as approachable and let your personality shine, too much sharing may overkill your chances to be moved forward in the selection process.

So the best strategy here is striking a fine balance between personality appeal and professional tone.

Example of infused originality and demonstrated passion and personality, without using beaten up clichés :

Dear Mr. Wilson,

I’m writing this cover letter to you at 11 pm. Why? Because I just finished speaking with my former co-worker, Jane Smith, who tells me that you’re hiring for the position of editorial assistant, and I wanted to apply immediately.

If you are in the mood to play with creativity and bring some freestyle taste into your mission to sell your skills in a Cover letter, this post explains exactly how to do that by telling a story to the Recruiters: https://enhancv.com/blog/how-to-tell-a-story-in-a-cover-letter/ .

Establish a connection.

Just like Diversity and Inclusion, Organizational culture is a buzz word with growing popularity in recent years. And that is not to be changed any time soon.

Sure enough, company culture is far more than just ping-pong tables in the office and free healthy breakfast. However, if you liked a certain perk that they are offering, no matter how small or big – SAY IT! Maybe the organization has a fantastic Employee Wellness program or inspirational Volunteer or Corporate responsibility policy! You name it!

Anything that you fancy – again – Say it! It will not get unnoticed – as you will – first of all - reaffirm again that you did your research, and secondly – that you are a close match not only for the job role itself, but are an organizational fit too. And any recruiter knows, the more you fit organizationally, the shorter your adaptation is going to be. Ultimately, the happier you will feel!

Here is an example:

“The healthy “work-life” balance is important for me, hence I highly value that you provide your employees the opportunity for home office and have various policies to support (new) parents. Moreover, what a great team climate can be sensed from photos of happy employees on company`s socials!

Finish it off with a strong CTA (Call to action).

Finally, after so many aces you have just poured in your Cover letter, it`s time for one last power-move – the Call to Action. After all, you're selling the best product you've got to offer, right?!

A lot of people feel very weary to use this “card”, as asking for a meeting may seem a bit too pushy or even desperate in their eyes. But don’t let yourself get fooled. You didn’t put all these efforts in your Cover letter, to let it end on a low accord and not seal the deal.

Here are some examples of a great CTA:

√ I look forward to meeting you soon and further discussing this exciting role and the company`s projects.

√ I'm particularly excited about the opportunity to learn more about the company`s current projects and how I can contribute to that effort.

√ I'd love a chance to learn more about this position and demonstrate how I can help (company or team) reach its organizational goals.

For more closing phrases to ramp up selling your professional persona in your Cover letter, check out here: How To End A Cover Letter - Free Samples, Examples, Formats .

So now you`re geared up to steal the show and sell yourself like a PRO by following what you have just learned:

√ Bring your confidence on-board.

√ Let your personality shine.

√ Get personal.

√ Know the company and tell exactly what you've got to offer them.

√ Establish a connection between yours and company`s values.

√ Demonstrate passion.

√ Showcase your successes.

√ Be relevant.

√ Don’t be generic or cliché-parroting.

To guarantee you will captivate the recruiters with your brand-new Cover letter, refer to this checklist:

Cover Letter Checklist : Learn How To Impress Recruiters

Ready to roll up your sleeves and start writing? If you feel like you need some guiding points, rather than starting your Cover letter from a blank canvas, we`ve got you covered on that one too – check out our 500+ Cover letter examples here: 500+ Cover Letter Examples & Samples for 2023 .

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Selling Yourself in Your Cover Letter

Published: Jun 20, 2016

Your cover letter has two important roles: (1) it's a marketing document designed to sell a product (you), and (2): it's a business document that, while giving a glimpse of your personality, needs to remain professional. It therefore stands to reason that lessons from those who sell, and those who write for business, can teach us a little something about composing an effective letter.

What are you really selling?

Yes, you're selling yourself and all that you have to offer: your skills, your experience, your attitude, and your personality. But think about it for a moment. Is that what you're really selling? Take the example of a health club membership. What is it that members are buying when they join the club? Access to classes and a large variety of strength training and cardio equipment? Sure, at the outset this is what it looks like you're buying when you sign that one-year contract. But in reality, health clubs are selling desire : the desire to be in shape, the desire to be muscular, the desire to be healthier.

When you're selling yourself to an employer, think about what the employer is really buying. An employee who shows up to work, does the job, and leaves? Or a person who can come to work and identify and solve problems, make money, serve customers, and be a positive asset? Likely the latter. And to find people to do all that, the company needs employees who can save or generate profits, save time, enhance service, and represent the company … qualities that help propel the company forward.

In your cover letter, identify a need and offer a solution. Who can find hidden costs and eliminate them? Who is great at sales? Does this company need someone efficient? When you identify a specific need and show how you can meet that need, you become someone who will be a benefit to the company, not merely just another employee.

Think about how you can sell technical skills, for example. You can list all the technical skills that you have, such as software, hardware, and computer networking. Or you can convey that your knowledge of accounting software allowed you to introduce a better program at your summer position as an intern, thereby reducing the time creating reports by 40 percent. The first method is simply a list of features. The second method demonstrates the benefit gained from putting those features (your knowledge) to work.

What sets you apart? Refer to everything you learned about yourself from your assessments. Pull accomplishments from your résumé, and show in your cover letter why you're a benefit to the company—because you can accomplish X, Y, and Z. Go beyond simply stating your features.

Select the most impressive quantifiable achievements, reword them—or, better yet, present them differently, such as converting information to percentages—and highlight them in the cover letter. If some of your accomplishments are dated, this is a great place to emphasize that information without drawing attention to the timeframe.

Know your audience

Who will be reading your letter? Someone in human resources? Or the head of a certain department? If you're writing to human resources, for example, be sure to write in "plain" English rather than using a lot of technical jargon. But if you're writing to a senior scientist, demonstrate your knowledge of the terminology used in your field or you may come off looking inept. Write a personalized letter every time, keeping your audience in mind.

What's the atmosphere in the company? Is it corporate or a small, family-owned business? How you would address a hiring manager of a Fortune 500 company is very different from how you would address the CEO of a mid-sized private company.

Support your claims

You say you're skilled at obtaining contracts. Great. Now prove it. When writing your letters, don't simply state what you're good at. Show it. Give examples. Mine your past and come up with every possible example you can think of where you used the skills you claim to have. Make a list, and then choose the best ones to include in your letter. If you have a lot to choose from, keep the list so you can use different examples with each subsequent letter you send to a company.

Write professionally

Remember that your letters are much different from your résumé. You will not use the telegraphic style that you did in your résumé. Write complete sentences; even bullet lists are generally an extension of a lead-in phrase, with each line of the bullet list creating a complete sentence as "add on" information. Use words instead of abbreviations. Use the active voice and sprinkle your letters with action verbs. Keep your correspondence brief and to the point. Don't include irrelevant information. Use a tone that exudes professionalism, not amateurism. Avoid using clichés and slang, and avoid any references to political or religious beliefs, or other unnecessary, unrelated information.

This post was adapted from the new Vault Guide to Resumes and Job-Hunting Skills .

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Are you struggling to write a cover letter that effectively highlights your skills and achievements?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many job seekers face the challenge of effectively selling themselves by showcasing their accomplishments to grab the attention of prospective employers. We have written this article to help you write a compelling and winning cover letter.

In this article, we will provide you with practical tips and tricks to help you craft a compelling cover letter that will leave a lasting impression on any hiring manager.

So, let’s dive in and discover how to sell yourself in a cover letter like a seasoned professional!

Why is it important to sell yourself in a cover letter?

Selling yourself in a cover letter is vital as it allows you to stand out in a highly competitive job market. A well-crafted cover letter not only complements your resume but also provides a personalized narrative of your qualifications.

It serves as your initial introduction to a potential employer, giving them a glimpse of your capabilities, experience, and what you can bring to the table.

By effectively selling yourself through your skills and achievements, you demonstrate your value and suitability for the specific role, capturing the employer’s attention and increasing your chances of securing an interview.

Table of Contents

5 Tips to Sell Yourself in a Cover Letter

Here are five tips to effectively sell yourself in your cover letter:

Tell a Compelling Story

Craft your cover letter as a narrative that takes the reader on a journey through your professional life. Start with an engaging introduction that draws the reader in. Describe key moments or challenges in your career where you effectively applied your skills to overcome obstacles and achieve success.

Use storytelling techniques to vividly illustrate these experiences, making them come alive for the reader. Conclude your cover letter by summarizing how your story aligns with the job you’re applying for and how it has uniquely prepared you for success in the new role.

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Highlight Transferable Skills

While it’s crucial to focus on job-specific skills, remember to emphasize transferable skills that can add value to the new role. Give concrete examples of situations where these transferable skills have made a positive impact in your previous roles, regardless of the industry or position.

Explain how these skills can bring a fresh and adaptable perspective to the role you’re applying for, showcasing your versatility and readiness to take on new challenges.

Emphasize Soft Skills

Identify key soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving, and discuss their importance. Share specific anecdotes or instances where these soft skills played a critical role in your achievements or contributions.

Highlight how these soft skills have not only benefited your individual performance but also positively influenced your work relationships, collaboration with colleagues, and the overall success of projects or teams.

Show Professional Growth

Outline your professional journey by highlighting significant milestones that reflect your growth and development. Mention promotions, advancements, or certifications that showcase your dedication to improving your skills and knowledge.

Discuss how your professional growth has equipped you with the expertise and leadership qualities necessary for the new role, providing evidence of your continuous commitment to self-improvement and career progression.

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Demonstrate Industry Knowledge

Showcase your deep understanding of the industry by referencing relevant trends, challenges, or innovations that you’ve actively engaged with. Describe your involvement in industry-related developments, whether through participation in conferences, contributions to publications, or active membership in professional associations.

Convey your commitment to staying informed about changes in the field and your readiness to apply this knowledge to the benefit of the company, underscoring your passion for your chosen industry.

By incorporating these tips into your cover letter writing, you’ll create a compelling and customized document that effectively showcases your skills and achievements to potential employers.

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In conclusion, crafting a cover letter that effectively showcases your skills and achievements can be a challenging task. However, by following the tips and tricks discussed in this article, you can create a personalized and compelling narrative that will capture the attention of any potential employer.

Remember to focus on telling a compelling story, highlighting transferable and soft skills, emphasizing professional growth, and demonstrating your industry knowledge. Additionally, quantifying your impact and articulating your career aspirations can further enhance your cover letter’s effectiveness.

With these strategies in mind, you can confidently present yourself as a standout candidate and increase your chances of securing your dream job.

Sample Letters

Sample 1: Highlighting Unique Achievements

Dear [Employer’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], as advertised on [where you found the job posting]. My unique ability to drive results was prominently showcased in my previous role at [Previous Company], where I spearheaded a marketing campaign that not only increased brand visibility but also resulted in a 20% boost in customer engagement within a short timeframe.

This accomplishment underscores my innovative approach and capacity to deliver tangible results. I am confident that my experience in achieving measurable outcomes can significantly contribute to the success of [Company Name]. I am eager to bring my skills in [relevant skills] to a dynamic and forward-thinking organization like yours.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my achievements align with the needs of your team.

Sincerely, [Your Full Name]

Sample 2: Demonstrating Adaptability and Learning Orientation

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently embraced new challenges and technologies. For instance, I swiftly acquired proficiency in a new project management software at [Previous Company], streamlining our workflow and illustrating my commitment to adaptability and continuous learning.

My ability to adapt and learn quickly aligns with the dynamic nature of your organization. I am confident that my versatile skill set and eagerness to expand my expertise make me a valuable asset to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my adaptability and learning orientation can contribute to the success of [Company Name].

Sample 3: Illustrating Problem-Solving Abilities

I am excited to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. In my previous role at [Previous Company], I encountered a significant challenge where [describe the issue]. Through strategic problem-solving and collaboration with cross-functional teams, I not only resolved the issue promptly but also implemented preventive measures, ensuring long-term success.

This experience underscores my ability to navigate complex situations and contribute proactively to organizational goals. I am eager to bring my problem-solving skills and commitment to excellence to [Company Name], and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success.

Thank you for considering my application. I am enthusiastic about the possibility of discussing my problem-solving abilities and their relevance to the needs of [Company Name].

[Your Full Name]

You may also want to read about the smartest questions to ask a recruiter at the end of an interview.

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How to Sell Yourself

When employers read your cover letter they need to be certain that your skills and experiences are relevant to your future career. To convince recruiters that you’re right for a role, follow these top tips for writing your cover letter:

Match yourself to the company’s requirements…

Identify the competencies they are seeking and think about how you match those. You can do this by reading the literature on their website. Think about the tasks and activities you could be involved in on a daily basis in the role and the skills they require.

Also consider your colleagues, the range of clients and other organisations you could be working with. If the job description has an extensive list of essential skills, try not to refer to each and every single one. This will make your cover letter overly long. Instead, focus on a few of the required skills which demonstrate your major strengths.

Furthermore, try to anticipate which skills are the most important to the job and make sure you address these concisely, but with sufficient detail.

Market yourself…

No one is going to do this for you. It’s a good idea to draw on a range of recent experiences and activities that demonstrate you have got the competencies the company is looking for. Think about the different areas of your life, such as your studies, your work experience, your leisure interests and the voluntary activities that you’ve done.

Consider the tasks and activities that you have been involved in, especially if they are linked to the industry. How did you contribute? What was the end result? What did you learn? This will provide you with a ‘skills bank’ of examples which you can use.

Promote your interpersonal skills…

Most companies place huge emphasis on working in teams, developing relationships and collaborating with colleagues. Your statement needs to reflect your excellent interpersonal skills. Relevant experiences to highlight are: involvement with clubs, societies and sporting activities at university and part-time jobs, internships or placements; especially if they have been in the relevant industry sector.

Even working in groups for projects whilst at university or college are relevant. These activities will highlight to a recruiter that you are a team player and will enable you to demonstrate that you have developed valuable skills such as leadership, teamwork, negotiation, communication and persuasion.

Demonstrate your industry awareness…

You need to make it clear to a recruiter that you have a genuine interest in the area of work you are applying for and that you understand how the particular company and industry sector operates as a whole. One way that you can develop this knowledge and begin to demonstrate this in your cover letter is to keep up-to-date by reading relevant industry websites, journals, publications and newspapers.

Create the right impression…

Make a positive impact by keeping your writing concise and to the point. Check for spelling and grammatical errors. This will show that you have effective written communication skills, an eye-for-detail and accuracy. These are all key skills in most career paths.

Don’t cut & paste…

When you’re actively seeking a new role, it’s all too easy to copy and paste sentences from previous cover letters into others. After all, nobody wants to put the wrong company’s name on their cover letter. It might well end up in the bin pretty quickly. It’s important that each cover letter is specifically targeted at the individual company.

This will instantly make your writing more genuine, honest and interesting for the recruiter. Furthermore, as the roles and competencies sought vary for each job, it is basically impossible to make your cover letter completely relevant to the individual job if you are copying and pasting big chunks of text.

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The art of the sale: How to sell yourself in your cover letter

Cover letters often have a bad reputation. Some people think they are an unnecessary repetition of your resume, while others dread how much research and time it can take to make a strong one.

However, cover letters help you make your best first impression and can help you stand out as an individual, rather than just another candidate.

Let us save you some time as we share six ways to create a cover letter that will get you interviews.

Focus on the “why” not the “what”

Consider these two descriptions,

“I answered phone calls and directed them to right departments.”
“I maintained a strong and positive reputation of my company through immaculate customer service both in person and over the phone. Through positive interactions, I ensured customer retention and assisted in increasing customer referrals.”

Both descriptions break down to the same basic concept. Yet, the second one shares many more essential skills that you could bring as an employee.

Always ensure that you are considering why your reader should care.

Avoid being vague

Why say that you managed a “large” team when you can say you managed a team of “more than fifty people”? When writing to a company, you are speaking with someone who has no idea who you are. Make sure that you are using tangible and factual numbers and descriptions, otherwise you risk the reader underestimating your achievements.

The finer details matter

Sometimes missing out on the right role can be about what you don’t do or say. Make sure you take the time to ensure that your grammar and spelling are correct. If you don’t feel confident in doing this, ask someone else to help you.

Is it really necessary?

These days, attention spans are short. Make sure you don’t risk losing your reader’s attention over qualities and attributes that aren’t essential. Unless you’re a recent graduate, chances are that finer details about school or university activities aren’t going to gain you much ground. Keep most of your details on your most recent role and the direct skills that you can transfer over.

Focus on the unique

If you’re applying for a job where they require a certain degree, chances are that every other person applying for the job can also say that they have the same tertiary qualifications as you. Consider what you bring to the table that is unlikely to be shared with other applicants. What unusual circumstances have you worked under where you excelled? Mention these box-ticking qualities, but don’t waste your precious word count on something that won’t make you stand out.

Finish strong

Most cover letters end with a sentence similar to “I look forward to hearing from you soon.” This is a passive statement and doesn’t leave any long-standing effect on your reader. Consider posing a question or a call to action in your final line.

A good example would be to say,

“The position of administration officer at 123 offices is a role that I know I will excel in. I would greatly appreciate the chance to discuss how my qualifications, experience, and accomplishments will help your company achieve its goals. Please call me on 555-555-555 at your earliest convenience to schedule a suitable interview time .”

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Career Planning
Finding a Job
Cover Letters

How to Show Your Personality in a Cover Letter

Write a Unique Cover Letter

Avoid clichés, try a creative first sentence, make a connection, think of unique examples.

Show You’ll Fit the Company Culture

Tailor Your Tone to Fit the Industry

Keep It Professional

Don’t Go Negative

More cover letter examples.

Hiring managers read dozens, if not hundreds, of applications for every job they post. If you want to get the job, you have to stand out. It’s important to show the hiring manager not only that you are qualified, but also that you are the best candidate for the position.

One way to get your application noticed is to write a unique, engaging cover letter that shows not only your qualifications but also your personality. Go beyond some of the clichéd, formulaic language found in many letters.

If you make your personality stand out in your letter, the hiring manager will more likely give your application a second look.

Of course, there is also such a thing as putting too much personality in your letter. You want to remain professional, and focus on what makes you an ideal candidate. Find the right balance between showing your personality and being professional in your cover letter, and you will be on your way to a job interview.

The best way to show who you are to the company is to avoid writing one generic cover letter for every job listing . Instead, tailor your letter to the specific job and company.

You can write a targeted cover letter in a number of ways:

Include keywords from the job listing in your letter.
You can also reference the company itself–for example, mention a particular success the company has had, or explain why you are interested in working for the company.
Perhaps most importantly, send your letter to a specific person , if possible.

If you have to, do some digging to find the name of the hiring manager, and address your letter to them.

Avoid the phrase “ To whom it may concern ” unless you can't find a contact. It's important to do your best to show a hiring manager that you have taken the time to write a unique cover letter for the specific job.

One of the best ways to avoid sounding like everyone else in your cover letter is to leave out some of the most overused phrases in cover letters. For example, don’t say you are a “hard worker” or that you “go above and beyond.” Try to find unique ways to explain who you are. One way to do this is to focus on particular examples —show them who you are, rather than tell them.

So many cover letters start with the sentence, “I am applying for X position.” While this is a fine way to start, the hiring manager has likely seen this sentence hundreds of times. Try starting with a more engaging first sentence (or first sentences) that shows who you are.

You might express why you are passionate about the job or the company. For example, you could start, “I have always been a storyteller. As a child, I would write countless stories about princes and princesses. Now, I have turned my passion for storytelling into a career in marketing.” Or, “When I first researched your company for a project in a business class over five years ago, I became inspired by your mission to provide low-cost tech solutions.”

A great “hook” will keep the hiring manager reading and will show him or her a bit about why you are a good fit for the job and company.

If you know anyone at the company, or if someone at the company referred you to the job , mention this early on in your cover letter (ideally in the first couple of sentences).

This humanizes you, and makes you seem more like you are already a part of the company culture . It also shows that someone in the company already thinks you are qualified for the job.

Remember that a cover letter should not simply restate your resume. While your resume lists your qualifications, your cover letter goes deeper, providing examples of times you demonstrated particular skills and abilities necessary for the job.

One way to show your personality is to include some unique, even surprising, examples that demonstrate your skills. For example, if you are applying for a job that requires organizational skills, you might mention how you accurately manage and process dozens of monthly shipments from your Etsy account. These kinds of examples are particularly useful if you do not have much relevant work experience.

Of course, only include examples that are relevant—they need to connect back to a skill or trait necessary for the job.

Show You’ll Fit in With the Company Culture

Hiring managers want to know not only that you are qualified, but also that you will fit in with the company culture. Before writing your letter, research the organization. Check out the company’s website, and talk to anyone you know who works there. Then you can mention ways that you might fit into the culture.

For example, if you know they do a lot of after-work team sports, you might briefly mention at the end of the letter that you would love to put your pitching skills to good use.

Some job listings also give you a peek into the company culture . For example, if the listing itself is very silly or funny, feel free to add a little humor to your letter, if that feels natural.

Similarly, you can tailor your letter to fit the personality of the industry. If you are applying for a corporate job, for example, you might want to write a more traditional cover letter. You can still include some personal examples, and maybe a catchy first sentence, but you should avoid too much humor or zaniness.

If you are applying for a job in an industry that is a bit more informal—say, a tech startup company—you can get a little bit more creative. Your tone can be more lighthearted, and you can include some creative examples.

If you’re applying for a job in a visual, creative field, consider showing your personality through the form of your letter. You might include bullet points , or even a visual (such as an infographic). You can include some of these nontraditional elements in your resume too.

Keep It Professional

No matter how much of your personality you decide to put into your cover letter, keep the letter professional. It needs to be well written and error-free. It also needs to stay focused on the main topic: why you are a terrific fit for the job.

Some people try to add personality by using phrases like “I know you hate reading cover letters, but…” or “I know I am one of many candidates, but…” Avoid any phrases that sound negative.

Also, avoid phrases that imply you know how the hiring manager feels. You don’t actually know whether he or she hates reading cover letters, and you don’t know how many candidates applied for the job. Focus on the positive, and don’t make assumptions about the hiring manager, the job, or the company.

Sample Cover Letter Showing Personality

Sara Jones 7 Chestnut Street Anytown, Anystate Zip Code 555-555-5555 email@email.com

January 5, 2019

John Wilson Editorial Director XYZ Magazine 5 Main Street, Suite 1 Anytown, Anystate Zip Code

Dear Mr. Wilson,

I’m writing this cover letter to you at 11 pm. Why? Because I just finished speaking with my former coworker, Jane Smith, who tells me that you’re hiring for the position of editorial assistant, and I wanted to apply immediately.

Jane will tell you that I’ve been eager to apply for a role at XYZ Magazine since we worked together, first at our student magazine, where I was managing editor and she was editor in chief, and then at ABCmag.com as assistants. I’ve always valued XYZ’s showcase for diverse and emerging voices, as well as its commitment to fact-checking and copyediting.

In fact, my desire to work for your magazine informed my studies at Large Public University. I took several copyediting and multimedia graphic design courses in my last year and have continued taking classes after graduation.

In addition to my background in multimedia design and copyediting – and my passion for XYZ – I have:

Three years of experience brainstorming, pitching, and assigning stories
Excellent research and reporting skills
Extensive experience analyzing traffic trends with Google Analytics
Expert-level social media management skills
An intense love affair with the Oxford Comma (which I know you share)

I’ve also had a few bylines on XYZ over the years:

I’d love to speak with you about the role. Please feel free to contact me at 555-555-5555 or email@email.com to discuss it or to arrange an interview.

Thanks, and best regards,

Sara Jones [signature for hard copy]

Review cover letter examples for many different types of jobs and get templates you can use to write your own letters.

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CV and Cover Letter
How to sell yourself on a CV:...

How to sell yourself on a CV: do it without boasting!

9 min read · Updated on June 03, 2024

Pitch yourself well enough, and the hiring manager will snap you up!

Nobody likes a bragger – not even a humble bragger. But when it comes to your CV, you need to be brave enough to blow your own trumpet. Learning how to sell yourself on a CV without sounding arrogant, albeit a challenge, is key. Luckily, we've got you covered. In this guide, we'll share the words you should use, as well as avoid, to give off the right impression.

Why choosing the right words is essential

Usually, your CV is the first impression you'll make on a recruiter or hiring manager. And you know what they say about first impressions – you don't get a second chance to make one!

That's why your CV needs to describe you accurately and persuasively rather than oversell or undersell you. Choosing the right words to showcase your skills is, no doubt, tricky, but spending a bit of time on this can have a great impact on how you're perceived.

The best words to use when selling yourself on a CV

The Oxford English Dictionary currently lists 500,000 entries, but the average CV is only two pages long. So, you're going to need to narrow down your choices. These categories may help:

One of the very best ways to find words that effectively market yourself on your CV is to scour the job advert for keywords . Highlight those words within the advert that apply to you and try to integrate them naturally into your narrative.

Top tip: Stay objective and optimise your use of relevant keywords by including facts and figures whenever possible.

Adjectives

While excessive adjectives aren't to be advised, choosing some to highlight your professional qualities can help to bring a bit of personality to your CV. Let's take a look at some examples that you may use:

Ambitious

Approachable

Detail-oriented

Pioneering

Confident

Driven

Authoritative

Influential

Methodical

Open-minded

Analytical

Top tip: Every word you choose must be true and accurate – dishonesty on a CV is never OK.

Power verbs

Starting every bullet or sentence of your CV with a power verb is a great way of promoting your capabilities in a concise and impactful way. Here are some examples to help you get started:

Spearheaded

Established

Transformed

Restructured

Streamlined

Top tip: Stick to words that allow you to highlight your soft and hard skills on your application.

How to sell yourself on a CV – section examples

Your CV provides plenty of opportunities for you to market your skills and expertise. Next up, we'll take a closer look at how you can promote yourself for a job by maximising specific parts of your CV.

The Profile section

As the first section of your CV, the profile is a great place to sell yourself. This is your elevator pitch, your personal introduction, so you should describe yourself in such a way that the reader can immediately see how you align with the exact requirements of the vacancy. Take a look at these examples of how to pitch yourself in the Profile section for inspiration:

How to sell yourself on a CV with no experience

An animal lover working towards a Level 3 qualification in Animal Management, with significant animal care experience. Confident handling a wide range of animals, particularly horses, cats and chickens, using initiative to fully meet their needs. Willing to work outside in all weather and keen to secure a part-time role in the animal care sector.

How to sell yourself on a CV for freshers and students

A knowledgeable undergraduate student, specialising in HR and business analysis. Combines a natural flair for identifying operational problems with the ability to recommend solutions. Communicates professionally across cultures and is sensitive to diversity issues. Consistently achieves deadlines through meticulous planning and a proactive approach.

How to sell yourself on a CV for nurses

A respected and patient Mental Health Nurse, combining experience in both hospital and community settings. Recognised as a sought-after student mentor with significant leadership experience. Takes an innovative and patient-centred approach to delivering clinical excellence. Nurtures positive relationships with patients, families and multidisciplinary professionals alike. Able to manage ambiguity and possesses a comprehensive understanding of diverse clinical services, service users and stakeholders.

How to describe yourself on a CV for sales executives

An ambitious and driven Sales Executive with a natural aptitude for building rapport with business clients and developing long-term relationships. Communicates articulately with key decision-makers to source, negotiate, and close deals. Proactively seeks out new opportunities, gaining an in-depth understanding of client businesses in order to sell products aligned with their needs.

How to describe yourself on a CV for accountants

A qualified Accountant with extensive leadership and management experience across multiple sectors. Focused on simplifying systems, implementing robust controls, and improving processes. Possesses expertise in compliance, audit, analysis, reporting, P&L, acquisitions, risk management, and project management. Recognised as an extrovert and engaging leader who builds positive relationships with colleagues, clients, and suppliers alike. Adapts quickly to new industries and cultures .

How to describe yourself on a CV for administrators

A flexible and loyal Administrator with the high levels of organisation necessary to manage complex schedules and achieve even the most demanding deadlines. Interacts professionally with customers to deliver exceptional service whilst ensuring discretion and confidentiality . Financially astute and confident leading small teams.

The Professional Experience section

Having made a positive impact in the Profile section, you'll want to keep that going as you describe your professional experience . The best way to do this is to “sell, not tell.” Describe yourself by using impact statements which enable you to objectively show off your best qualities without sounding arrogant. Let's take a look at some examples:

Showcasing your skills in project management:

Handed over 12 complex projects on schedule and created a full delivery plan and handover documents to ensure successful and timely completion of 3 further projects

Successfully integrated a new business into the existing organisation during the pandemic, with no disruption to business as usual, including incorporating 100 staff plus applications across 25 locations

Showcasing your skills in financial management:

Turned a 6-figure deficit into a surplus by identifying new income streams and reducing salary costs

Achieved multi-million-pound cost savings by designing and building an Azure cloud platform providing public cloud resources

Showcasing your skills in team leadership:

Built the communications team from scratch and provided training and skills development opportunities to enable the team to build links across the community

Supervised and coached teams of up to 10 staff and provided a safe environment for all

Showcasing your skills in customer service:

Patiently communicated with and advised confused and lost passengers despite significant language barriers

Built a loyal customer base due to award-winning customer service and a 5* rating on review sites

Showcasing your skills in organisation:

Played a key role in organising the society's first-ever Winter Ball for 130 attendees, delivering within budget and selling out to achieve a profit

Consistently achieved strict publication deadlines

Words to avoid when selling yourself on your CV

Now you know how to sell yourself in your job application document, let's take a moment to find out what not to do. There are some words that just have no place on a CV. Worse still, if you choose to include them, you could be doing yourself a disservice. Here are the faux pas to avoid:

You either sound quite old or like a piece of steak. This is quite a divisive word for those reasons, and most CV writers will advise you to avoid it.

Hardworking

Being hardworking is the least that can be expected of you. It's also a word that pops up frequently on the most junior of CVs and has become a bit of a CV cliche. Try to find a more dynamic word to use instead. “Reliable” and “enthusiastic” also fall into this category.

Experienced

Everyone is experienced, whether they've been doing something for a day or a decade. When you're selling yourself on your CV, aim for precise over generic every time.

Even if you love your job and the people you work with and serve, “passionate” probably isn't the right word here. It's overused on CVs and, in most of those instances, it's not very credible.

Responsible for

Saying that you're “responsible for” something describes your job, not you. You can almost certainly delete these two words with no detrimental effect on your sentence. Ditch the tedium and, rather than listing your responsibilities, show off your impact and achievements instead.

Bonus tip: always tailor your application to the job

Finally, remember to always tailor your CV to each role. Every vacancy will be different, so even when you think you've written the perfect CV that describes you to a tee, you'll still need to tweak it and make small adjustments to ensure that it accurately – and honestly – reflects the requirements of the role, the company, and the industry.

Furthermore, don't forget that there's another sales document that you can maximise – knowing how to sell yourself in a cover letter is just as important as crafting your CV. Take the time to research the business and reflect on the job advert (and criteria) as you finalise your application.

Key takeaways

By this point, you should be feeling ready to get started. To recap, these are the main points to remember when you're wondering how to sell yourself on a CV:

Use a few adjectives and plenty of powerful verbs

Align your vocabulary with the requirements in the job advert

Make sure you're honest but unique

Tailor the CV to every role you apply for

Avoid overused words and CV cliches

Get them highly interested in you

Learning how to sell yourself on your CV is indeed one of the best ways to boost your chances of success. There's no room to keep mum about your skills when you're competing for the top spot. So long as you follow our advice, you should have no problem asserting your value without coming across as arrogant. Stick to our rules, and you'll go far!

If you'd like professional input before you apply, why not send your CV for a free CV review ? With expert advice on areas for improvement, you'll be a cut above the rest.

This article was originally written by Jen David and has been updated by Charlotte Grainger.

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On your cover letter, sell yourself without "selling" yourself

The cover letter is a component to a strong application package, but applicants can often shoot themselves in the foot. A common mistake tends to occur when candidates try to follow good advice in the wrong way. One such piece of advice is that we should do all we can to "sell ourselves." However, many misconstrue this practical point and end up sounding a little too arrogant or sometimes even naive.

Selling yourself by not selling yourself

The best way to sell yourself is by highlighting favorable aspects of your character through your resume, portfolio, and cover letter. You don't want to try and do this by telling a prospective employer how great you think you are. Some common statements that go along this line look like this:

"I know I will be the perfect fit for this organization..."
"I am the best in my field at..."
"This organization needs my help..."
"When I begin working for you, I will..."

We could go on, but the tone here comes off overly confident and arrogant, and honestly — at least for me — don't display qualities of someone I'd like to spend the majority of my day with. Instead, simply outline your good work through your application.

A better approach

Your cover letter should be used to highlight how your experience aligns with the opportunity you are responding to. You can put all of your awards and achievements on your resume, but the cover letter is an opportunity for you to show a bit of your personality.

Maybe you mention how the mission of the company aligns with your interests and passions, or maybe you reflect on a recent project the prospective employer just completed. There are many ways you can be professional, confident, and thoughtful without being "salesy."

Instead of writing, "I am the best candidate for this job. I look forward to your positive response" — yes, people write this — you could say, "If my experience and aptitude seem to align with what the company is looking for, I'd love to schedule an interview to learn more about the opportunity."

If you compose a good cover letter and overall application package, the employer will notice it. You don't have to tell them your work is good. All you have to do is show them your good work.

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How to sell yourself with a winning cover letter.

You need to attach a cover letter to every resume you send out, whether you mail, e-mail, fax or personally deliver it. However, your best not to send out the same cover letter to every employer. Customize each one to the company you’re applying to and the job you’re applying for. Yes, this means a little more work on your part, but think of it this way: The cover letter gives you a chance to point out exactly why you are perfect for this particular job.

Cover letters usually have three parts.

Opening – states your interest in the company and the job. Tells how you found out about the job opening or the company and why you are interested.

Middle – tells the employer what you have to offer the company by highlighting one or two qualifications you think would be of greatest interest. Points out special training or experience you have. Demonstrates that you know something about the company and/or industry.

Closing – expresses your appreciation for the employer’s time and asks him/her to contact you or states that you will follow- up with them.

--> Cover Letter Checklist

Does your letter address the exact name and title of the contact person?
Did you use a natural writing style – professional but friendly?
Does your letter show that you know something about the company?
Does your letter demonstrate energy and enthusiasm?
Did you expand on your resume rather than repeat its content?
Did you sign your letter and give a phone number and/or e-mail address where you can be reached?
Did you have others check your letter for spelling and grammatical errors?

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How to sell yourself in your CV

Your CV is your way of marketing yourself in your job search.

Think of it like a leaflet for the services you provide to companies as an employee.

Hiring managers will read it and make an instant decision as to whether they want to interview you or not.

So, you need to sell yourself in your CV, if you want to land a top job.

Here’s how to do it in 6 simple steps .

CV templates

Add a sales-pitch-style CV profile

The CV profile is the introductory paragraph at the top of your CV and is one of it’s most critical sections, as it serves as your elevator pitch to the hiring manager.

Get it wrong and tons of recruiters will skip past your CV – Get it right, and you will start seeing the interviews roll in.

To sell yourself effectively, you must give a high-level overview of your experience and skills, but you must also explain the benefits an employer will get from hiring you.

Benefits are what YOU can do for THEM.

For example, will you help them to generate more revenue? or are you a whizz at solving their biggest IT problems, saving them time and money?

By demonstrating how you will benefit potential employers, you will make yourself a much more attractive hire.

Example CV profiles

Remember, the goal is to grab the employer’s attention and make them want to learn more about you, so be concise, persuasive, and authentic in your approach. By crafting a compelling CV profile, you can set yourself apart from the competition and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Build your CV now

Highlight in-demand skills at the top

If you really want to sell yourself in your CV , try adding a core skills section underneath the profile.

This section is essentially a bullet-pointed list of skills and knowledge that directly relate to the requirements sought by your potential employers.

Each point will jump out of the page at the reader, demonstrating that you are a good fit for the role, even with just a quick glance at your CV.

This approach helps to create an instant impact when your CV is opened, increasing your chances of receiving a response from job applications.

Relevant skills to include can range from IT skills and industry knowledge to education results and achievements. Just be sure they are pertinent to the roles you are applying for by researching relevant job advertisements.

Use power verbs

When crafting your CV, it is essential to incorporate powerful verbs .

Verbs are words that describe your actions, thus demonstrating what you actually do in the workplace – this is key to showing what you personal contribute to a company’s success.

Here are some example power verbs, along with how you can add them to your CV.

Managed – “Managed a 6-month project to improve customer retention levels.”

Optimised – “Optimised delivery driver routes to avoid overlap and ensure efficient service.”

Delivered – “Delivered the project two months ahead of schedule and under budget by £40,000.”

Streamlined – “Streamlined the accounts payable process to improve invoice processing speed and accuracy.”

Strengthened – “Strengthened brand awareness by expanding the company’s online and social media presence.”

Negotiated – “Negotiated with IT vendors, resulting in a monthly savings of £300K.”

Oversaw – “Oversaw a team of 10 software engineers in the development of client software solutions.”

Formulated – “Formulated a new performance review policy to ensure employees received regular feedback.”

Executed – “Executed six projects in a year, generating a 252% increase in revenue.”

Motivated – “Motivated team members to provide regular feedback, increasing overall team morale.”

Powe verbs will be most useful in your role descriptions, but can be used throughout your CV.

Prove your impact with achievements

Of course you must talk about your responsibilities, buy to sell yourself effectively in your CV, it’s essential to include your achievements

Achievements show the outcome your skills and experience and provide concrete evidence of your value to potential employers.

Add achievements to the end of your role descriptions to prove the impact you made at each workplace.

To make your achievements even more impressive to hiring managers – you should quantify them .

Quantifying your accomplishments by using numbers, percentages, or dollar amounts makes your achievements more impactful and memorable, and helps hiring managers understand the magnitude of your contributions.

Example CV achievements

Increased sales revenue by 25% through the implementation of a new marketing strategy.
Reduced operational costs by 15% through the introduction of a new inventory management system.
Generated £100,000 in new business sales by establishing partnerships with three new key clients.
Boosted website traffic by 50% through the creation of a targeted content marketing campaign.
Achieved a customer satisfaction rating of 95% by implementing a new customer service training program.
Reduced customer complaints by 75% through the development and implementation of a new complaint resolution process.
Improved product quality by 20% by introducing new quality control measures in the manufacturing process.
Increased employee retention by 30% through the implementation of a new employee engagement and recognition program.
Successfully managed a budget of £500,000 for a major project, delivering it on time and within budget.
Reduced project delivery time by 40% by implementing a new project management methodology.

Be specific, concise, and honest in your approach, and highlight achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the jobs you are targeting.

By effectively communicating your accomplishments, you can set yourself apart from other candidates and prove that hiring you will be worth while.

Use a professional format

Appearance is a key tool in any type of sales process.

And using a professional-looking format is crucial when selling yourself in your CV.

A well-designed CV reflects well on you as a candidate and helps to catch the eye of busy hiring managers and make a strong first impression.

It also shows recruiters that you have put effort into presenting your skills and experience in a clear, concise, and visually appealing manner.

A professional-looking CV format also conveys attention to detail, a valuable trait in many job roles.

Don’t forget a cover letter

Although this is not strictly a CV tip – you must write a cover letter every time you apply for a job.

It doesn’t have to be a whole page of A4, just a few sentences in the body of your application message will do the job perfectly.

The purpose of the cover letter is to encourage recruiters to open your CV in the first place.

It allows you to introduce yourself to the hiring manager, explain why you are interested in the role and the company, and highlight your relevant skills and experience.

When writing your cover letter, start with a friendly greeting, and a strong opening statement that captures the hiring manager’s attention and explains why you are interested in the role.

Next, highlight your relevant skills and experience, using specific examples that demonstrate your abilities.

Be sure to customise your cover letter for each job you apply for, showing that you have researched the company and understand their needs.

Finally, close with a strong statement that emphasises your interest in the position and your willingness to get started in the job as soon as possible.

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Selling Yourself In A Cover Letter

By: Vanessa Vidal

Date: 05/30/22

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Go-to resources for a successful sale

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How to Sell a House As-Is When It Needs Repairs?

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For Sale by Owner (FSBO) vs. Real Estate Agent?

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How Soon Can I Sell My House After Purchase?

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Tips for Negotiating With Real Estate Agents

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Trojan Stories

Should You Use AI to Write Your Cover Letter?

Selective focus shot of diverse group of business people sitting in line against the wall, chatting, preparing and reading their resumes and cover letters when waiting for a job interview meeting.

It’s more common than ever to use AI tools in everyday life to streamline complicated or time-consuming tasks. Whether you’re pivoting careers, stepping back into the professional world after a break or searching for a job after a layoff, writing dozens of cover letters can be daunting. So, you may be asking yourself: Should you use AI to write your cover letter for you?

USC Online spoke to USC Career Center expert Lori Shreve Blake to find out when it’s appropriate to use AI in a cover letter — and when this tool should take a backseat.

Do: Use AI to Understand the Job Description

Writing a great cover letter takes time, especially if you’re out of practice. While it’s important that your cover letter is written in your authentic voice, Shreve Blake said AI assistants can help you tailor it to the job you want. 

Shreve Blake suggests using an AI assistant like ChatGPT to generate keywords from a job description, which you can incorporate into your cover letter. You can also save time by asking AI to read a job description and summarize the key functions of the role. 

You can also ask AI tools like ChatGPT to write a first draft of the cover letter. But there are some important details that AI won’t be able to add.

“You’re not going to state day-to-day duties in [your] cover letter,” Shreve Blake said. “You should emphasize your best accomplishments, share your unique qualifications, and demonstrate your professional fit for the role, your values and the organization’s alignment. Should you add quantifiers? Add numbers, percentages, [things] like that.”

Job seekers might be tempted to cut corners with AI to save time, but Shreve Blake emphasized that there are other ways to speed up the process of writing a cover letter. Once you have a template of your cover letter with an introduction, middle paragraph and summary paragraph, you can customize sentences, interchange keywords, and add examples based on the job you’re applying to. You can also customize the formatting of the document.

“I give an analogy of a house: Once you have that foundation of the cover letter completed with AI, then you can incorporate job-specific sentence s as you see fit,” Shreve Blake said. 

Many people also find writing a cover letter becomes quicker and easier over time.

“Writing cover letters is a skill, like other skills in life,” Shreve Blake said. “So, the more you do it, the faster and more confident you’re going to get.”

Don’t: Neglect Your Research

Researching your target employer is an integral step in the cover letter writing process. Applicants should visit the company’s website, read the mission statement and consider which of the company’s values resonates with them most. This research will help you put together an argument about why you’d make a great candidate — something an AI-generated cover letter can’t do, Shreve Blake said.

“The cover letter is also a persuasive piece,” Shreve Blake said. “So, it’s almost like that interview question[s]: ‘Tell me about yourself. Why are you interested in this job? What unique skills and experience makes you the best person for the job?’”

Making these connections early in the application process prepares you for interviews later. This “process of self-reflection” helps you identify what the organization is looking for and which key achievements make you stand out, Shreve Blake said.

Don’t: Forego Your Authentic Voice

Although recruiters can’t always tell whether a cover letter was written by AI or a human, there are sophisticated tools that can detect it, Shreve Blake said. Recruiters have also told her that they don’t like the generic cover letters they see when reviewing applications and Shreve Blake challenges job seekers to ask the question: “What do you want your first impression to be with a potential employer?”

“[If] the recruiter receives [a] generic, AI-written cover letter [and] one that is more custom to the job, which one do you think the recruiter is going to pick?” Shreve Blake said. “You must show integrity, you must show thought and care … It’s a test to see how you’ll be as an employee.”

Whether or not you choose to use AI, be sure to inject your authentic voice into your cover letter and use it to showcase your writing skills. (If you’re at a loss for verbs, check out the USC Career Center’s resume and cover letter booklet for a helpful list of action words to incorporate.) Employers use cover letters to judge whether applicants will be the right fit for email- and communication-heavy jobs, Shreve Blake said.

“I would say … [your] cover letter can be seen as a form of a work sample,” Shreve Blake said. “And it shows your future employer that you have skills in writing, that you possess attention to detail in submitting a cover letter that is grammatically correct and free of typos, that you have skills in communication, that you have skills in persuasion and strategic thinking.”

Do: Use AI to Check Your Grammar

Although you can speed up the process, writing a good cover letter takes time. So, you want to make sure your finished product is concise and easy to read.

“[Recruiters] spend about 15–30 seconds [reading] the resume. They may spend even less time on the cover letter and many employers do not require a cover letter ,” Shreve Blake said.

This is where AI comes in. Shreve Blake recommended using Grammarly or a similar AI-powered writing assistant to give your cover letter a once-over after you are finished writing it. This ensures that your spelling and grammar are up to par and that there are no filler words clogging up your precious cover letter real estate. 

“ Grammarly is a good tool to use to edit your cover letter ,” Shreve Blake said. “Twenty years ago, it was common to write a cover letter and then let a friend or family member double-check it for meaning and typos before submitting it to a potential employer. … Well, now you don’t have to ask a friend or family member. … [You] can use Grammarly and do that.”

Just remember to double-check your cover letter one more time after using a tool like Grammarly. Sometimes, AI takes your writing out of context, Shreve Blake warned.

Don’t: Limit Your Focus to Just the Cover Letter

Unfortunately, even writing a perfect cover letter sometimes won’t land you the job you want. Shreve Blake advised that people find additional ways to express their interest in a role or company, including networking and conducting informational interviews.

“At the end of the day, AI doesn’t hire people. Humans hire humans. People hire people,” Shreve Blake said.

Similarly, if someone at the company you are applying to is vouching for you, make sure not to make them look bad by submitting a generic, AI-written cover letter. After all, they are putting their reputations on the line for you, Shreve Blake said.

In the end, securing your dream job is all about going the extra mile . No matter what balance you choose to strike between using AI and writing the old-fashioned way, the goal remains the same: to create a cover letter that is tailored to the position you want and sells you well to your future employer.  

“ And, let’s face it, cover letter writing is not easy. ” Shreve Blake said. “So, not taking the easy way out and doing your research on the organization, addressing the right person, and going through the process of customizing the cover letter after using AI gives you a competitive edge.”

Access more career advice from USC Online today.

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COMMENTS

How To Sell Yourself in a Cover Letter (With Tips and Examples)
To help you through the job application process, discover how to sell yourself in a cover letter, along with tips and example cover letters to help guide you.
How To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter (With Examples)
To sell yourself in a cover letter, first match your skills and values with that of the employer. Use the four paragraph, 250-400 words structure of a cover letter to demonstrate your skills and how they can be used for the employer. Use keywords from the job description to stand out.
How to sell yourself in a cover letter (with example)
Learn how to sell yourself in a cover letter, discover the importance of a cover letter and review a template and an example as a reference to write your own.
How to Sell Yourself in a Cover Letter? Guide + Examples
See how to sell yourself in a cover letter without sounding braggy. Get employers to want to hire you with a cover letter that sells your skills & talents.
How to Sell Yourself in a Cover Letter
If you are sick and tired of job rejections, check out how to steal HR`s attention and sell yourself with a Cover letter that is your unbeatable secret weapon.
Selling Yourself in Your Cover Letter
Refer to everything you learned about yourself from your assessments. Pull accomplishments from your resume, and show in your cover letter why you are a benefit to the company—because you can accomplish X, Y, and Z. Go beyond simply stating your features. Select the most impressive quantifiable achievements, reword them—or better yet ...
How to Sell Yourself in a Cover Letter (With Steps and Tips)
Learn how to sell yourself in a cover letter, explore the benefits of writing one, discover tips to create an effective cover letter and review an example.
How to Sell Yourself in a Cover Letter
How to Sell Yourself in a Cover Letter. Cover letters are read in a matter of seconds. Making a quick, positive impression on a future employer is essential if you want to get to the next step. A cover letter is about making the connection between you and
Selling Yourself in Your Cover Letter
Your cover letter has two important roles: (1) it's a marketing document designed to sell a product (you), and (2): it's a business document that, while giving a glimpse of your personality, needs to remain professional. It therefore stands to reason that lessons from those who sell, and those who write for business, can teach us a little something about composing an effective letter.
How to Make a Good Cover Letter
Like a great resume, a well-crafted cover letter can help you sell yourself to an employer. Cover letters offer you an opportunity to say share that you can't address on your resume and let you express your enthusiasm for the position and show the hiring manager exactly how your skills and experience make you the best person for the job.
How to Sell Yourself in a Cover Letter (With Tips and Samples)
In this article, we will provide you with practical tips to help you on how to sell yourself in a cover letter. So, let us dive in and leave a good impression.
How To Sell Yourself on a Resume in 5 Steps (With Steps)
Here are five steps you can follow to sell yourself to an employer on your resume: 1. Use professional contact information. The first step toward standing out when submitting a resume for a job application is to ensure you're providing employers with accurate and professional contact information.
How to Sell Yourself
When employers read your cover letter they need to be certain that your skills and experiences are relevant to your future career. To convince recruiters that you're right for a role, follow these top tips for writing your cover letter:
The art of the sale: How to sell yourself in your cover letter
Cover letters help you make your best first impression and can help you stand out as an individual, rather than just another candidate. Let us save you some time as we share six ways to create a cover letter that will get you interviews.
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If you're planning to be a salesperson, then you need to know how to sell yourself in your cover letter. What can you do to create the best cover letter yet?
How to Show Your Personality in a Cover Letter
What should you say in a cover letter to help it get noticed? Write a unique, engaging cover letter that shows your personality as well as your credentials.
How to sell yourself on a CV: do it without boasting!
Want to know how to sell yourself on a CV without bragging? Read our complete guide on how to effectively position yourself as a top candidate.
On your cover letter, sell yourself without "selling" yourself
The best way to sell yourself is by highlighting favorable aspects of your character through your resume, portfolio, and cover letter. You don't want to try and do this by telling a prospective employer how great you think you are.
How to Sell Yourself with a Winning Cover Letter
How to Sell Yourself with a Winning Cover Letter You need to attach a cover letter to every resume you send out, whether you mail, e-mail, fax or personally deliver it. However, your best not to send out the same cover letter to every employer. Customize each one to the company you're applying to and the job you're applying for.
How to sell yourself in your CV in 6 steps + Examples
The purpose of the cover letter is to encourage recruiters to open your CV in the first place. It allows you to introduce yourself to the hiring manager, explain why you are interested in the role and the company, and highlight your relevant skills and experience.
Selling Yourself In A Cover Letter
Selling Yourself In A Cover Letter In the rush to secure a position, many attorney job seekers unwittingly toss together ineffective attorney cover letters, hoping to beat out other eager applicants. When applying for a legal position, you need to craft your attorney cover letter carefully and deliberately.
How to sell yourself on a CV (with steps and reasoning)
Your CV and cover letter are vital keys to the job-hunting process. If you know how to sell yourself on your CV, the hiring manager is more likely to select you for an interview. There are various techniques you can use to sell yourself in a professional, honest way.
Sell Your Home: 4 House Selling Options
Sell your home yourself. Deciding to sell your home yourself is referred to as for-sale-by-owner (FSBO). The FSBO process is similar to traditional selling, but without the help of a real estate agent. In this case, you're responsible for the home prep, marketing, showings, and negotiations.
How to Use AI to Write Your Cover Letter
Job seekers might be tempted to cut corners with AI to save time, but Shreve Blake emphasized that there are other ways to speed up the process of writing a cover letter. Once you have a template of your cover letter with an introduction, middle paragraph and summary paragraph, you can customize sentences, interchange keywords, and add examples ...