Cover letter - not sounding arrogant

It's cover letter time again, and I'm finding it really difficult. Does anyone else just feel like a knob, describing their experience and giving reasons why they should hire you? It seems really hard not to come across as arrogant or a know-it-all, but when I went to see a careers advisor, they told me to stop being so modest and to 'sell myself' more. Does anyone have any tips on wording or things to say which outline your experience and suitability without sounding like you're boasting?

hmmm

Most cover letters I see are either generic or full of ridiculous buzzwords, if you could avoid both traps I think it would stand to you.

Mention in the cover letter your top 2/3 reasons why you think you are suited to that particular job, preferably in bullet points. Remember most hiring managers will only glance at a cover letter for a few seconds, so you want their eye to be drawn to the reasons why they should consider you.

Eoin

If you're applying to a specific job application, then make sure you match what they've put down as essential skills / areas of responsibility etc with your experience. Your CV is about you; the cover letter is why you're a good match for them; so there's no harm talking about the role and the company itself.

It's just so awkward. The one I'm applying for right now, I'd say it requires creativity, self motivation and imagination, I just don't know quite how to word it.

Eoin

I would say to use brief examples that you can expand upon in the CV. Personally I don't think a list of glowing adjectives on their own isn't the way to go.

Irish_Elect_Eng

Allen Ambitious Pointer wrote: »

It's cover letter time again, and I'm finding it really difficult. Does anyone else just feel like a knob, describing their experience and giving reasons why they should hire you? It seems really hard not to come across as arrogant or a know-it-all, but when I went to see a careers advisor, they told me to stop being so modest and to 'sell myself' more. Does anyone have any tips on wording or things to say which outline your experience and suitability without sounding like you're boasting?

Pretend that you are an american when writing the letter :-), I am only half-joking. Have you ever noticed how they are proud of their achievements and are not afraid to tell you about them, they are not boasting, just stating facts with confidence. That is the tone that you are looking for.

So for your cover letter. You need to achieve several things:

1. To stand out from the crowd.
2. To interest the recruiter enough to move on to read your CV.
3. To leave the recruiter in no doubt that this job interests you, you are immediately available for interview and you would be delighted to have it.
4. To Link some key skills/qualifications from your CV to the role.