This is the one sentence that every cover letter needs

If you’re searching for a job, you’ve probably heard about how important it is to tailor your résumé and cover letter, showcasing your measurable achievements, and incorporating relevant keywords from the job description. 

These elements can make a big difference in catching a hiring manager’s attention. But beyond these essentials, there’s one powerful sentence that can truly set you apart from the rest: the one-liner.

According to Sam DeMase, career expert for Zip Recruiter, this line in your cover letter is important because it highlights exactly what employers want to see.

“Employers are looking for relevant work experience and aligned skills. So if you’re missing that, you’re not getting called in,” DeMase says. 

She points out that many candidates make the mistake of overemphasizing their enthusiasm for the role and company while failing to clearly communicate the value they bring.

To stand out, DeMase suggests crafting a compelling one-liner that immediately grabs the hiring manager’s attention and highlights your unique value.

What should you add to your cover letter?

DeMase recommends using a direct and impactful statement in your cover letter: “I will add immediate value to this role in the following ways.”

Then, list one concrete example from your work history for each area of expertise. To do this effectively, identify three key skills that align with both the job description and your own strengths. “So if your core strengths are A, B, and C, tell the employer, here’s how I’ve executed on that in previous roles,” DeMase explains. 

Since job postings outline the required skill sets, ensuring your experience aligns with those expectations is crucial for standing out as a candidate. “When you’re looking at a job description, they will always tell you what those required skill sets are. This is where alignment comes in,” DeMase says. 

If the job posting calls for leadership development, content creation, or live facilitation—and you have those skills—be sure to showcase them.

Be warned, though, “You don’t want to make statements without backing it up with evidence,” DeMase explains. “Never say, ‘I’m really good at X, Y, and Z,’ and leave it there. You need to articulate specific examples from your work experience.”

For example, if you want to highlight your ability to craft impactful marketing campaigns that increase follower accounts, don’t just state it—demonstrate it. You might write, “at my last role, I was able to increase the follower count by 30% over the course of x, y, z, amount of time.” 

DeMase advises job seekers to ask themselves: “‘Have I executed on that in previous roles, and what was my approach? How can I highlight those things?’” she says. “You want to be very clear on what your skill sets are, but also the results that you have achieved.” 

Where else to use this framing

Beyond your cover letter, DeMase emphasizes that this one line should also appear in your résumé.

“It goes in your ‘About Me’ section, and you can also have elements of it in your résumé headline, as well, which are the keywords that go right underneath your name,” she explains. “That is the part that I find entices recruiters to continue reading.”

By strategically placing your one-liner throughout your résumé and cover letter, you maximize its impact, increasing the chances of catching a hiring manager’s attention.

Focus on what you have

It’s important to remember that you don’t need to meet every single qualification to apply for a job. “It’s good to apply for roles that are a little bit of a stretch,” DeMase says.

Instead of fixating on what you lack, she advises focusing on your strengths. “Highlight the things that you do have,”  she says.“If you have three out of the five things, focus on the three that you do have because you can learn the rest.”

That said, a more targeted job search makes crafting a strong one-liner easier. “A narrow job search is going to yield you better results than a massive one,” DeMase says.

By focusing on your key strengths, tailoring your approach, and strategically positioning your one-liner across your résumé and cover letter, you can confidently stand out to hiring managers and increase your chances of landing the job.

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