{"id":17141,"date":"2023-04-28T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-28T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/?p=17141"},"modified":"2024-05-06T14:05:20","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T18:05:20","slug":"6-tips-for-writing-a-cover-letter-that-promotes-your-academic-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/en\/6-tips-for-writing-a-cover-letter-that-promotes-your-academic-success\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Tips For Writing A Cover Letter That Promotes Your Academic Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>As a new graduate, get the attention of hiring managers with 6 tips for writing a cover letter that promotes your academic success.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You know how important it is to send your CV or <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/7-skills-that-can-make-your-resume-stand-out\/\">resume<\/a> when applying for a job. But what about <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/how-do-you-begin-a-cover-letter\/\">a cover letter<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/resumelab.com\/uk\/cover-letter\/are-cover-letters-necessary\">recent survey by ResumeLab<\/a>, three-quarters of recruiters prefer a cover letter as well as a CV. For recent graduates looking to enter the job market, a good cover letter is your chance to expand on your CV and show your academic achievements and expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite this, only four out of 10 candidates send a cover letter with their application, even when requested in the job posting! So, a <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/7-cover-letter-mistakes-to-avoid-in-2023\/\">well-written cover letter<\/a> can put you ahead of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this post, we&rsquo;ll discuss 6 tips for writing a cover letter that promotes your academic success:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tailor your letter to a specific role<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paint a picture of your skillset<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Highlight your achievements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Talk about your side hustles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support your successes with facts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remain professional throughout<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Tailor your cover letter to a specific role<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/writing-your-cover-letter-3-simple-templates\/\">writing your cover letter<\/a>, read the job description and note the specific qualities they\u2019re looking for from applicants. You can then tailor your letter accordingly to include these keywords and phrases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if they\u2019re hiring for a role related to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/blog\/fundraising-ideas-ds00\/\">fundraising<\/a>, write about the grants you\u2019ve secured as part of your academic career. Or, if they want someone with <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/5-tips-for-writing-your-freelancing-cover-letter\/\">good writing skills<\/a>, talk about the research papers you\u2019ve published.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, research the institution or company that\u2019s advertising the role. Look at their website, <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/5-social-media-guidelines-for-employees-in-2023\/\">social media pages<\/a>, and LinkedIn profiles and ask questions like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Who is the organization\u2019s recruitment manager? (Who are you writing to?)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are the organization\u2019s values?&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is their culture?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What sort of tone do they use in their written communication?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This will help you personalize your letter to the organization you\u2019re applying to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Paint a picture of your skillset<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your cover letter is your chance to give examples of <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/how-to-sharpen-these-essential-skills-for-success-in-2023\/\">your skills<\/a> in action\u2014outside of a formal <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/why-every-hiring-process-should-include-a-skills-assessment\/\">skills assessment<\/a>. Showcasing how your skills fit the role can help you move to the next stage in the hiring process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read through the job posting and pick three or four of the desired skills that you have. Then, provide an example of how you used that skill in your previous role. Even as a new graduate, you still have valuable <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/the-most-wanted-entry-level-skills-in-2023\/\">entry-level skills<\/a> that you can bring into the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, if you want to demonstrate your teamwork skills, give an example of a group project you excelled at during your schooling. Successfully working in group projects requires organization, collaboration and even <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/5-effective-steps-to-hiring-and-promoting-strong-leaders\/\">leadership abilities<\/a>, which will be desired capabilities in any workplace.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Give examples of your soft skills as well as hard skills. <a href=\"https:\/\/zety.com\/blog\/skills-employers-look-for\">According to Zety<\/a>, 61% of recruiters consider soft skills more important than hard skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"834\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-4-700x834.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-4-700x834.png 700w, https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-4-300x358.png 300w, https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-4-120x143.png 120w, https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-4.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Image sourced from Zety<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-soft-skills\">Soft Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/blog\/en\/the-most-important-soft-skills-you-need-to-have-in-any-workplace\/\">Soft skills<\/a> are social and cognitive skills, such as <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/the-ultimate-guide-to-time-blocking-to-boost-your-productivity\/\">time management<\/a>, <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/the-pros-and-cons-of-upward-business-communication\/\">communication<\/a>, and <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/how-to-set-goals-for-your-remote-team\/\">teamwork<\/a>. Soft skills are harder to teach than hard skills, so they\u2019re currently in high demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the survey by Zety, teamwork and communication are the top two soft skills recruiters look for from job applicants. So, be sure to give examples of these skills in your cover letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, instead of saying, \u201cI have excellent communication skills,\u201d give an example of your verbal or written skills in action. This could be a presentation you gave or a published research paper where you distilled complex ideas into smaller components that made for more straightforward understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hard-skills\">Hard Skills&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hard skills are skills you\u2019ve learned during your career, such as legal expertise, project management, or engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/go.manpowergroup.com\/hubfs\/GLOBAL_EN_Report_2Q23.pdf\">A 2023 survey<\/a> found that IT and <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/how-to-develop-a-data-driven-recruitment-strategy\/\">data<\/a> skills are the most in-demand hard skills globally. So, if you have experience with data analysis, cloud computing, or <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/8-proven-methods-to-source-and-screen-software-developers\/\">digital software<\/a>, for example, be sure to give examples of how you used it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, many organizations use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/human-resources\/\">cloud HR software<\/a> to streamline their <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/7-reasons-why-applicant-tracking-software-is-the-future-of-hiring\/\">HR processes<\/a>, manage their staff, and make more <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/how-to-become-a-data-driven-company-in-2022\/\">informed business decisions<\/a>. If you have experience with such software during any volunteer or part-time job, talk about how you used its insights to organize roles or improve the onboarding process on your cover letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Highlight your achievements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/resumegenius.com\/blog\/cover-letter-help\/cover-letter-statistics\" rel=\"nofollow\">ResumeLab\u2019s survey<\/a>, around 50% of recruiters say <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/how-to-write-a-cover-letter\/\">cover letters are important<\/a> for highlighting professional achievements. So, include a section that promotes your academic achievements and qualifications as well. You\u2019ve worked hard for these achievements and they deserve just as much attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You could talk about awards you\u2019ve won, results you\u2019ve achieved, or discoveries you\u2019ve made.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tailor your achievements to the qualifications in the job description. For instance, say the job description asks for X years of experience as a project manager. Mention how long you\u2019ve been a leader in an academic setting and give an example of successful projects you\u2019ve overseen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"606\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-2-700x606.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-2-700x606.png 700w, https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-2-300x260.png 300w, https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-2-768x664.png 768w, https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-2-120x104.png 120w, https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-2.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Image sourced from <a href=\"https:\/\/resumegenius.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">ResumeLabs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Talk about your side hustles&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your cover letter is also a great place to talk about any side hustles and <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/10-part-time-jobs-for-students\/\">part-time work<\/a> you have performed while in school, like an online store or consultancy work. Briefly describe what you do, what you\u2019ve achieved, and the skills you\u2019ve developed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/5-advancement-tips-for-aspiring-entrepreneurs\/\">being your own boss<\/a> requires <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/top-time-management-tips-for-productive-work-from-home-environments\/\">excellent time management<\/a> and communication skills, which\u2014as we\u2019ve said\u2014are in high demand. In order to balance their academic career, many students have multiple part-time jobs. This is demonstrable proof of your ability to organize your time and meet multiple simultaneous demands.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, give evidence of your successes, such as sales, growth, and revenue statistics from your side hustles and part-time gigs whenever possible. You should have these figures to hand, and this process can be made much easier through the use of accounting software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/sage-business-cloud\/accounting\/industry\/self-employed\/\">Sole trader accounting software<\/a> lets you view your accounts in real-time, track money in and out, and forecast your future cash flow. You\u2019ll be able to pull insights from this software highlighting how well you\u2019ve done outside of your academic achievements and include in your cover letter that promotes your academic success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Support your successes with facts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve touched on this already, but providing facts and figures to <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/make-your-resume-stand-out\/\">support your statements<\/a> is vital when writing a cover letter that promotes your academic success&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Statistics show recruiters you\u2019ve made a measurable impact in your role, so include numbers and percentages where possible. If you consistently achieved top grades during your academic career, mention it! If you\u2019re applying for a software engineering role, give the programming languages and systems you\u2019ve used, along with any and all certifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make it clear if you\u2019re providing an estimate, and don\u2019t guess. You have to be able to provide evidence if asked\u2014whether that\u2019s a company report or your own calculations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Remain professional throughout&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, although you should tailor the tone of your cover letter to match the organization, you should also stay professional. Avoid slang and colloquialisms, and address the letter formally. Even if a company&rsquo;s online presence is very casual and based in humor, it\u2019s also best to avoid humor, as it may fall flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You also need to ensure your spelling, grammar, and punctuation is spot-on, especially if you\u2019re applying for a role where attention to detail is paramount. Common <a href=\"\/blog\/en\/10-signs-of-a-weak-resume\/\">signs of a weak resume<\/a> are spelling mistakes and bad grammar, and it\u2019s the same for cover letters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, a cover letter doubles as a writing sample. So, it\u2019s crucial to get it right. Ask someone to review your draft or check it with an app like Hemingway or Grammarly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"564\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-3-700x564.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17144\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-3-700x564.png 700w, https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-3-300x242.png 300w, https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-3-768x619.png 768w, https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-3-120x97.png 120w, https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-3.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zippia.com\/advice\/resume-statistics\/\">Image sourced<\/a> from zippia.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-chance-to-showcase-your-achievements\">A chance to showcase your achievements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A cover letter is your opportunity to show your academic success and make a great first impression on a potential employer. Be proud of your achievements, and don\u2019t be afraid to showcase your talents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best cover letters are personalized to each role and provide quantifiable evidence of your skills and achievements, including side hustles. By following 6 tips for writing a cover letter that promotes your academic success, you can write an academic cover letter that helps you stand out from the competition and land your dream role.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As a recent grad entering the job market, stand out with 6 tips for writing a cover letter that promotes your academic success.","protected":false},"author":181,"featured_media":17148,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4758,481],"tags":[4796],"class_list":["post-17141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lettre-de-presentation","category-cv-lettres-de-presentation","tag-redaction-lettre-presentation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/181"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17141"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17141\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19107,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17141\/revisions\/19107"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobillico.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}