An important part of a competitive job application is the cover letter. It presents you with an opportunity to tell your professional story. However, given that cover letters are a requirement for many open position nowadays, if you don’t craft a piece that has that wow factor, you could lose out on the chance for an interview.

So how can you make your cover letter stand out from the crowd? Here are some tips:

{marker} Give evidence of your achievements. Ideally this means including figures. For example, I increased sales by 20 percent in my first quarter. Or if you don’t work in that kind of industry, describe situations in which you went above and beyond.

{marker} Keep the letter concise. Recruiters don’t have the time to read letters longer than a page. Two or three paragraphs should do the trick.

{marker} State in clear terms what you hope to bring to the organization in question. Never, ever send a generic cover letter to multiple employers.

{marker} Highlight your highest achievements early, whether that’s awards, promotions or your level of education. Impress from the get go!

There you have it. Four simple ways to keep your cover letter interesting. Thanks for watching!