Yes, You Need a Cover Letter!
The application process can be daunting as you embark on your job search journey, but it doesn’t have to be! I’m here to provide some tips to all the tired mama’s out there searching for the next step in their career — one working mom to another.
My biggest piece of advice is to not be afraid to apply for a job even if the job description doesn’t completely align with your experience, because it doesn’t have to. Asking yourself whether you should apply to a specific opportunity or not is completely normal.
While you certainly don’t want to waste your time applying for roles you know you aren’t qualified for quite yet, still don’t be afraid to apply for a role if your experience aligns almost perfectly with a role description. Even if you only possess 3+ of the required 5+ years experience, it’s definitely still worth your time to apply since you meet most of the requirements. Go for it!
Here are 5 tips to help you stand out from the crowd:
1. Focus on a few jobs at a time
While it might be tempting to apply for any and every job that you are qualified for or interests you, this will only put you on a vicious application cycle and will leave you even more stressed. Start by checking out several online resources to narrow your search and then put all of your efforts toward a few applications at a time. Quality over quantity!
2. Submit a tailored resume
Don’t submit a one-size-fits-all resume to every position that you apply. You want to be sure that you’re mirroring the keywords to tailor your resume to each individual application. You also want to highlight any experiences you have specific to the company or position. If the company you are applying for is a start-up and you have worked in an office with a very small team, be sure to include that even if you haven’t worked for a start-up specifically. Basically, you want to position yourself as someone who could be an obvious fit.
3. Submit a personalized cover letter
This is along the same lines of submitting a tailored resume, but even more in-depth. The best cover letters I have read were ones that I knew they wrote specifically for our company and position. Take the time to really research the company, include why you are qualified and would be a fit, and what excites you about the company and role. Try not to be long-winded and stick to about three paragraphs if you can. Depending on the company and role, don’t be afraid to show your personality a little when it’s appropriate; recruiters like to feel like we are reading from a human, not a robot!
4. Follow-up
Always send a follow-up email after an interview. While thank you cards are appreciated these days, it can take too long for the interviewer to receive it. Always be sure to send an email thanking whomever you spoke with for their time and include a line pertaining to something specific from your conversation.
5. Details, details, details
The difference is always in the details. Triple check that your resume, cover letter, and any application questions are error-free. Most positions at any given company are looking for someone detailed-oriented, so if there is even one typo on your application, it might be difficult for someone to feel confident in interviewing you.
Good luck, mama! You’ve got this. And if you need a little help figuring out where to apply to, you can start here Best Places To Work In 2020.
