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Whether you are looking to break into the customer service field or move from one call center to another, you need a well-written cover letter. If you don’t create a customized cover letter for each potential employer, you have very little chance of securing an interview. Follow these tips to create a cover letter that gets results.
Organize Your Letter Carefully
Your cover letter should have an introduction, several paragraphs detailing your skills and experience, and a strong closing paragraph. Organize all of the information in your cover letter in a logical order. You can start with your most recent achievements and work your way backward, or you can start with past achievements and close with information about your recent job.
Personalize Each Greeting
If you don’t know the name of the hiring manager at a particular company, don’t start your letter with “To Whom it May Concern.” Instead, take time to research the company and find the name of the person to whom you should address your letter. This demonstrates initiative and makes it more likely a call center supervisor will want to interview you.
Focus on Specific Achievements
The point of writing a cover letter is to make the hiring manager want to learn more about you. A generic cover letter is not likely to generate much interest, so use as much space as possible to describe your achievements in the call center industry. If you reduced your average handling time by 40 percent, make sure you mention this achievement in your cover letter.
Avoid Summarizing Your Resume
When you apply for a call center job, you need to distinguish yourself from the hundreds of other applicants applying for the same position. Instead of rehashing the content of your resume, your cover letter should contain extra information to help the hiring manager learn more about you. Talk about your achievements or about any special training you have had in the industry.
Share Performance Metrics
Sharing performance metrics with potential employers is a great way to make them aware of your value as an employee. The first paragraph of your cover letter should tell the hiring manager how many calls you typically handle, your average call handling time, and metrics related to call abandonment.
Use the STAR Method
Use the STAR method to make your cover letter more interesting to employers. STAR stands for situation, task, action, and result. If you want to explain how you handled a problem, describe the situation, outline the task you had to complete, summarize the actions you took, and provide details about the result. This gives employers insight into your problem-solving abilities.
Include Relevant Keywords
Some companies have turned to automated screening tools to narrow down their applicant pools. If your cover letter doesn’t contain the right keywords, there’s a chance the hiring manager won’t see it. Use keywords related to the customer service industry, such as “call center agent,” “CRM,” “customer service,” “call center,” and “outbound calls.”
Address the Job Requirements
Your cover letter needs to be very specific to improve your chances of landing a job. As you write your letter, address each of the requirements listed in the job posting. If the advertisement says you need at least three years of experience, make sure you let the hiring manager know you’ve been working as a call center agent for more than three years.
Use a Strong Closing Paragraph
The closing paragraph of your cover letter should make a good impression on the hiring manager. Summarize the contents of your letter, thank the hiring manager for his or her attention, and request a follow-up telephone call or on-site interview.
Include Current Contact Information
If you do a good job writing your cover letter, the hiring manager will need some way to contact you to schedule an interview. Make sure you include a current email address and telephone number somewhere in your cover letter. Many people include this information at the top of the page, but you can also include it in your closing paragraph.
Proofread Carefully
Accuracy is a very important part of a call center agent’s job. If your cover letter contains several grammar mistakes or typographical errors, it reflects poorly on your ability to produce accurate documents. Before you send a cover letter to a potential employer, proofread it carefully. For best results, ask a friend to proofread it in case you missed any errors.
Conclusion
Your cover letter is usually the first thing a hiring manager sees when you apply for a job. Taking the time to write an excellent letter helps improve your chances of getting an interview and landing the job of your dreams. If you need help crafting the perfect cover letter, contact us to discuss your concerns.
Featured image – © BlueSkyImages / Dollar Photo Club
