Do you have a cover letter to help sell your resume to your next marine employer? You may not have thought about a cover letter in a long time. In fact, many people believed them to be obsolete. But cover letters can be the first glimpse for an employer into who you are as a candidate. Many resumes are sent online now, and without a cover letter a hiring manager will only open a blank email with an attachment. Convince them to read this attachment by providing them a snapshot in the message. Let’s look at some of the ways to get your cover letter noticed and get a call back from the marine company.
Make sure it is organized.
Begin your letter with the right salutation using the name of the hiring manager or HR representative if you know it. Otherwise, start with “Good Morning, or “Good Afternoon.” Never say “To Whom It May Concern.” Next, add an introductory paragraph. Follow that by a paragraph that specifically discusses your skills and experience. Your last paragraph should request an interview and provide your contact information to make it easy to pick up the phone and contact you immediately. Then close the letter with your signature. You can use this format as a formal mailed letter or as an email with your resume attached.
Write well and edit often.
Another challenge is spelling and grammar. While you don’t have to be a language professional to work within a shipyard environment, good communications skills are essential. After you write your cover letter, look it over and make sure it is proofread. Have someone else read it as well to help ensure you didn’t miss any major mistakes.
Get right to the point.
In your first paragraph, while you want to make a general introduction, you should also be sure to get to the point right away. For instance, you may want to say, “I saw your posting for a ship builder and I am interested in learning more. With 15 years working in a shipyard under my belt, I believe that I would be an asset to your organization.” Reference the job posting, specifics, and why they should continue reading to learn more about you.
Share your skills and results.
You also want to make sure they understand how you’re qualified and, more importantly, what sets you apart from your competition. Here is where you can share information you wouldn’t in your resume. For example, share a brief story about a time where your skills in the shipyard directly benefited the company you worked for and contributed to their success. This will engage the reader and make them want to call you and learn more.
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