Any New Yorker can tell you that competition in NYC is fierce. And that, no matter what line of work you are in, you need to do your best in order to find and keep a job in this concrete jungle. So, it stands to reason that you need to have a proper CV and top-notch cover letter, and you might even do a bit of freelancing in order to boost your CV. Nevertheless, since people in NYC tend to be a bit different, we are going to go over some cover letter tips for NYC jobs. With luck, these should give you an idea of what your cover letter should look like.
Cover letter tips for NYC jobs
Now, you might be wondering what is the difference between writing cover letters for NYC jobs and for jobs in other cities. After all, a job interview is a job interview, right? Well, not quite. What’s important to note about job seeking in NYC is that there is a large percentage of employee turnover. Employers in NYC tend to be harsh and unforgiving, no matter where in the city you are situated. So, even if you are moving to another NYC address for a job, you need to make both your CV and your cover letter pop out as interesting and well made. To make this clearer, we are going to go over 8 tips that should help you write a terrific cover letter.
Tip 1: Know who you are writing for
Not every employer is looking for the same type of employees. Therefore, not every job applicant should write the same letter. In fact, the worst thing you can do is to have a generic letter that you send to everyone. Instead, you need to study your potential employer a bit and see what they are looking for. That way you will know how to formulate your letter so that it makes you seem like the perfect candidate. In addition, leveraging a well-crafted CV is crucial when navigating the competitive job market in New York City. Consider using a professional CV builder to ensure your resume stands out and effectively highlights your skills and experiences.
Tip 2: Proper length
One of the more important cover letter tips for NYC jobs, especially if you are new to cover letters, is that it needs to be a page long, at the most. Too many people write pages and pages of why they are a worthy candidate. This is the wrong approach, simply because no one is going to bother to read through all of your writing. At best, the employer will ignore your cover letter if your CV and your credentials are impressive enough. But, at worst, they can turn you down simply because they couldn’t bother to read your cover letter.
Tip 3: Proper font
Another important thing to point out is that you need to use the proper font in your cover letter. Too many newcomers to the job market think that any font is good enough. So, no Comic Sans and no handwriting. Your letter needs to be easy to read and it needs to have a professional look. Some of the fonts you can use are:
- Arial
- Courier New
- Calibri
- Verdana
- Times New Roman
Tip 4: Short, sweet and informative
Since your letter should be a page long, you need to covey as much information as possible in as few words as you can. So, try not to have any empty sentences. You need to be straight to the point and you need to inform your employer of everything that they need to know. The best way to think of your cover letter is that it is an extension of your CV. So, try not to duplicate the information from it. The two should work together in order to give the employer the best possible impression of you.
Tip 5: Proper use of paragraphs
Along with your writing, you need to use paragraphs properly. One of the best cover letter tips for NYC jobs is that every point needs to have its own paragraph. By splitting up your letter, you will make it much easier to comprehend. Plus, you will force yourself to compartmentalize your resume, which will make writing it much simpler.
Tip 6: Use Grammarly
Grammar check in Word is good, and it will serve you well for a basic letter. But, if you don’t have high writing skills, we suggest that you install Grammarly. This neat little add-on will make writing a whole lot easier. Plus, you can set it up so that it fits your writing style.
Tip 7: Drop names
The more people you can put up as a reference in your cover letter, the better. One of the most important cover letter tips for NYC jobs is to mention who you are connected to. Especially if they are for an NYC firm that is somehow related to the one you are applying to. By doing so you will make yourself noteworthy.
Tip 8: Double-check
Finally, always let someone double-check your cover letter. Even if you feel that you have everything down perfectly, sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes to point out obvious mistakes. Furthermore, you can get some helpful tips on how to formulate your sentences and make your cover letter that much clearer.
An extra piece of advice regarding cover letters
All the cover letter tips for NYC jobs won’t do you much good if you do not prepare for job hunting properly. Remember, your cover letters are only a part of your job hunt, and you need to tackle every other aspect of it with equal seriousness. This means organizing your CV, taking care of your body language and looks and optimizing your interview skills. Before you come here looking for a job, know that NYC is a harsh, competitive place. And that you need to use every skill and tool available in order to find decent employment.
Author bio:
Kevin Burns is a professional content writer that has worked as a relocation coordinator for over 15 years. He now focuses on raising his daughters and on writing helpful articles mainly about how you should let professional movers transport your household items, but also about business startups and opportunities.
