5 Ways That Writing Can Land You A Job

When you consider which skills may be most beneficial to you during the job hunt, writing is not usually at the top of the list. We often think that public speaking, good references, and the ability to answer questions on the spot are among the best tools we need for the application and interviewing process. Nonetheless, writing is an overlooked tool that you can use to increase your chances of landing the job.

1) Write a thank you note

Writing thank you notes to your interviewers is an excellent way to showcase your attention to detail. Make sure you triple check your letter for errors and typos. Whether you send a handwritten note or an email, your thank you note should focus on what you learned during the interview, and it should also express your gratitude for their time with you.

2) Use action verbs in your resume

In order to accurately convey your value-add to an organization, it is crucial to frame your resume in the context of concrete action. If a particular project you worked on increased sales by 7% in six months, you can start your bullet point with compelling action words such as “generated sales” or “increased sales”.

3) Write a concise cover letter

A cover letter is the most direct way to tell prospective employers what could not be adequately explained in your resume. If you take the time to write a cover letter, you’ll find that you can better describe your skill sets to meet the unique requirements of each position. Although the cover letter is a great place to showcase your talents, keep it to one page, just like your resume. Any cover letter that is more than one page may be discarded along with your application.

4) Take notes during your interview

Your interview notes are critically important as you continue to be in touch with the organization. If you receive multiple offers, these notes can remind you of the differences between the positions. Additionally, when you write your thank you notes or send follow-up emails, you’ll be glad to have concrete talking points to reference.

5) Send follow-up emails

A follow-up email is a great tool to use if you have not heard back from anyone regarding your application. Check the job posting for a point of contact, and send them a (proofread!) email to show your continued interest in the position.