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Applying for jobs online can be a good way to maximize your job hunt. However, oftentimes you may encounter job application forms that are not exactly friendly to standard cover letter formats.  How can you write a cover letter that looks great and gets the right kind of attention from hiring managers? In this article, we’ll look at some ways you can get the most out of an online cover letter.

Keep it simple.

That’s right, you’ve heard this before. An online cover letter should be concise, to the point, and professional. You are not writing your life story here. You’re simply writing a brief summary of who you are, what you bring to the table, and why the recruiter should take a nice long look at your resume.

Attention grabbing introduction.

Start your cover letter out with a thank you to the recruiter, then indicate how you will be a good fit for the assignment or the type of work culture that exists at the company. Spend some time really reading the job description and exploring the company website to learn more.

Highlighted KSAs

What most recruiters are looking for in a well-written cover letter is a nicely organized, yet summarized, listing of your knowledge, skills, and abilities—otherwise called KSAs. One effective way to do this is to create a short bulleted list just under your introductory paragraph. Keep it under 4 bullets.

Contact information

A common issue with online cover letters is that the applicant assumes that his or her resume with contact information will remain with the cover letter in transmittal. Be sure to include your name, an email address, and a phone number to reach you at the top of your cover letter.

Online formatting

In the modern job search, you are likely to have to fill out multiple online application forms, each having their own unique characteristics that can alter the look of your cover letter. To make sure your cover letter comes out looking its best on the other end, align all text to the left, leave out any special characters (like &, *, $), use a 12 point font, use spaces to define paragraphs, and avoid the use of graphics or hyperlinks.

Another important factor when using online cover letters by email – add the job title in your email subject line. Many hiring managers will sort incoming resumes and cover letters by the actual job title so you’ll want to make sure yours ends up in the correct destination when applying for jobs. If you are looking for a boost in your job search, contact the Jackson staffing experts at TempStaff. They can provide the resources and experience you need to land a job.


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