How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter and Get a Job as an Immigrant

There is an opinion that getting a job in a new country is a real challenge. In fact, if you strictly follow the instructions and create a resume in accordance with current requirements, the task can be considered 50% completed.

Many American employers require applicants cover letter for resume. Do not neglect it, otherwise attempts to find a worthy one will work in the USA will not be successful. We will discuss further how to correctly draw up a document taking into account established standards.

The Importance of a Cover Letter

Cover letter, sample which can be found on the Internet, contains text from three to six paragraphs. In it, the candidate must briefly introduce himself, indicate his professional skills and explain why he is worth hiring for the vacant position.

This document is an addition to the resume and helps both to interest the recruiter and to stand out from other applicants for the position.

7 steps to your dream job, or Khow to write good covering letter

We have prepared step-by-step instructions for you, how to write a cover letterso that the employer will definitely notice you. This will help you better understand the details that make up the document.

On the subject: How to Find a Job Fast in 2024: Tips for Creating a Modern Resume

Step #1. Form a template

It should be properly formatted and visually readable, without unnecessary elements that distract attention.

Step #2. Come up with a title

In this case, you can safely focus on your resume and start the letter with contact information. It should include:

• candidate's full name;
• phone number;
• E-mail address;
• name and position of the recruiter;
• the name of the company where you are sending your resume.

In some cases, it is acceptable to additionally indicate profiles on social networks, but only if they correspond to your field of activity. For example, LinkedIn, GitHub for developers, Medium for writers.

If you have your own website that can increase your value as a potential employee in the eyes of HR, it's worth mentioning.

You should not include your full address and email with a non-presentable name in the header of your cover letter. To search for a job and respond to vacancies, create an email with a discreet name in the following format: first name + last name @ provider company name.

Step No. 3. Compose a correct greeting to the addressee of the letter

Try to find out the hiring manager's first and last name. A simple business greeting like “Dear HR Manager” or “Dear (name, surname)” will be sufficient.

“Dear Sir/Madam” is not a good greeting because you need to demonstrate to the recruiter that you are interested in their job and the company.

Step #4: Formulate your introductory text

Considering that recruiters receive dozens or even hundreds of applications from job seekers every day, they probably won’t read every single one from start to finish. covering letter.

That is why your task is to capture the attention of the company representative from the first paragraph. Avoid general statements that do not contain any specifics. Start with your past achievements that are most relevant to the potential position.

Step #5. Give reasons why you are the best candidate

This part of the cover letter should describe your professional skills in order to convince the recruiter to hire you. Find out which job requirements are the most important and compare them with your skills. Show the recruiter how you can be useful to the company in this position.

Step #6. Explain why the company needs you

For an HR manager, it is extremely important not only how you will cope with your assigned responsibilities, but also how well you can integrate into the team and be imbued with the corporate spirit.

Conduct a mini-research of the company’s activities: what products/services it offers; what the business model is based on and what culture is implemented there. Praise the company where appropriate and write about why its values ​​resonate with you.

Step #7. Call to action

This is the last paragraph of the cover letter that is formatted before sending to the recruiter. What should be here:

• Summing up or any other information that you have not yet indicated, but is interesting and useful for the employer.
• Thank you to the manager for giving you his attention and time. These days, politeness is always noticed and certainly appreciated.
• Call to action. Ask the manager to contact you as soon as a decision has been made.

Finally, end your story with “Best wishes,” “Thank you,” “Sincerely,” or “Regards,” etc.

On the subject: How to open a business in the USA: a cheat sheet for an immigrant

What to remember when creating a cover letter

We offer you a number of recommendations for creating cover letter for a resume for an employer:

• Write concisely and simply. Do not repeat information that you have already provided in your resume. Don't mention unnecessary things that have nothing to do with the company or the potential position.
• Use a format similar to a resume. The visual component of the document plays an important role and, to some extent, may indicate the pedantry of its author. The ideal combination is 2,5 cm (1 inch) margins on all sides, single spacing, and left-aligned text. The font must be identical to the one in which your CV was created.
• Maintain the text volume. A cover letter should not be turned into an autobiography. Even if you have an irresistible desire to write down your career history, know how to stop in time - this document has other purposes.
• Personalization. Ideally, a letter, like a resume, should be tailored as much as possible to the vacancy for which you are applying. If you don't get into it, how to write a cover letter for a resume, but simply copy it from the sample - the recruiter will regard this as a lack of interest in the offer. The document should demonstrate in every possible way that you put effort and took the time to compile it.

Finally, re-read the text, correct grammatical errors and typos. Agree, an illiterately executed document already calls into question the level of knowledge of its author. You can learn how to correctly write a resume for American employers on the portal for immigrants bazar.club.