Keywords and phrases for your cover letter

Keywords and phrases for your cover letter

If you want to score an interview and land your dream job, you need a great cover letter and resume. Crafting an engaging cover letter involves much more than highlighting what you do well and why you want to work there. You’ve also got to use the right cover letter keywords. Here’s what you need to know. 

What are cover letter keywords?

Cover letter keywords are phrases or terms that will stand out to hiring teams when they review your application. For continuity’s sake, you should also include cover letter phrases in your resume. After all, these documents are meant to be complementary tools that give hiring teams a glimpse into who you are, your skill set, and your aptitude. 

You are probably wondering, “Do human resources professionals really look for cover letter keywords?” Absolutely! Many actively look for terms that illustrate you understand the position and have read the job description. They may also be subconsciously looking for certain phrases.

Additionally, 60% of HR professionals are using artificial intelligence for hiring and recruiting purposes. (1) AI-powered CV and resume review tools may scan your documents for select phrases and terms. If you don’t include them, your application may get filtered out of the selection process. 

Phrases and keywords can add spice to your cover letter

The top cover letters are well-organized, concise, impactful, and engaging. By adhering to cover letter best practices, you can stand out and increase your odds of landing an interview. Cover letter keywords play a key role in spicing up your application and differentiating you from the average candidate. 

When working key terms into your resume and cover letter, focus on industry- and role-specific terms. For example, if you are applying to an IT position, mention certifications or specific skills that match the role you want. 

Not sure which phrases to incorporate into your application? Review the job description and build your list around the employer’s list of qualifications, preferred abilities, and summary of the role. If you use similar language to that found in the job description, the employer will notice.

However, be careful not to use too many cliche keywords. For the most part, you should avoid things like “punctual,” “great communication,” or “organized.” While these are valuable traits, they are typically prerequisites for any job. If you are hired, it’s presumed that you are going to show up on time and stay organized. 

Employers want to know what makes you different from everyone else. That’s where industry-specific cover letter keywords really shine. 

Check out several cover letter examples for a better understanding of what to do (and what not to do) when writing up your job application. You can also get helpful suggestions from resume examples, CV examples, and CV templates.

Impactful keywords and phrases to include in your cover letter

Regardless of what role you are applying for, it’s important to use terminology that showcases your value to the organization. Again, avoid cliches but instead focus on action language. Some great action verbs you can use include:

• Improved
• Transformed
• Initiated
• Innovated
• Spearheaded

Use these words with more common descriptors to make a connection between your involvement and what the project or task required. For instance, you could say that you “improved client satisfaction” and then explain what you did to achieve these results. This approach is much more impactful than saying generic things like “I offer great customer service.” 

This cliche phrase leaves hiring teams with more questions than answers. They want to know what you did that made your customer service “great.” Conversely, using action words and describing what you achieved showcases how you might bring value to their business. 

For technical roles, mention specific technologies, methodologies, or frameworks. For example, you can mention things like “Agile project management” or “Python programming.” Be careful not to mention any skills unless you are very proficient in them. If you make it to the interview stage, most employers are going to ask you to provide examples of your work or elaborate on your skills. 

Remember, you can’t just stuff a bunch of terms in your cover letter and hope for the best. The document needs a natural and engaging flow. If you are overhauling your professional documents, use cover letter templates to help you maximize engagement and readability. You can also use resume templates to ensure continuity across all of your documents.

Cliches and basic keywords and phrases to avoid

When crafting a cover letter, it’s easy to fall into the trap of using cliches and generic terms that recruiters have encountered hundreds of times. Though these terms are popular, they can cause your application to blend in, not stand out. Here are some examples of cliches and basic cover letter keywords to avoid:

• Hard Worker: This is overly vague and expected of any candidate 
• Team Player: While important, it’s better to demonstrate this through specific examples
• Self-Motivated: Instead of stating it, show how your motivation has produced results
• Problem Solver: This is too generic without context. Highlight a specific issue you resolved 
• Dynamic: This adjective gets used so much that it has lost its impact 
• People Person: Talk about how you’ve successfully worked with teams or led projects
• Detail-Oriented: Share an instance where you noticed the little things and it mattered 
• Proactive: Provide examples where you took initiative beyond your usual responsibilities 
• Results-Driven: Quantify your achievements to prove your focus on results 
• Passionate: Overused and subjective 
• Strategic Thinker: Detail a situation where you saw the big picture and made a difference 
• Go-Getter: As with “proactive,” it’s better to illustrate this through examples 
• Innovative: Share something you contributed to rather than using this generic term
• Creative Thinker: Mention a hurdle you overcame by flexing your creativity 
• Excellent Communicator: Provide examples of how you used this skill in a professional setting 
• Track Record of Success: Quantify what you’ve achieved to make your words more meaningful
• Responsible: This is expected; instead, share how you’ve managed your responsibilities effectively 
• Extensive Experience: Specify what this is and how it’s relevant 
• Skilled in [Generic Skill]: Don’t just say you have an ability — showcase it 
• Highly Qualified: Share how your qualifications match the job’s requirements

By avoiding these cliches and focusing on specific, quantifiable achievements and experience, you can create a cover letter that stands out. Remember, the goal is to show what makes you valuable and how it aligns with the needs of the employer. 

Looking for more helpful tips on how to stand out in the hiring process? Read some cover letter articles and resume articles on Jobseeker that detail best practices and things to avoid. It’s also important to find out how to end a cover letter so you’ll make the best impression possible.

“Employers want to know what makes you different from everyone else. That’s where industry-specific cover letter keywords really shine.”

Advice

Integrating cover letter keywords into your application can be a true game-changer. Here are some simple tips to help you make the most of eye-catching buzzwords and phrases:

• Don’t oversaturate your cover letter with phrases; use them strategically
• Avoid too much technical jargon
• Use similar keywords in both your resume and cover letter
• Treat these documents as complementary and minimize redundancy 
• Whenever possible, back up your keywords with hard data

That last tip is probably one of the most impactful. Making a statement is not nearly as powerful as supporting your claims with specific numbers. For instance, if you led a successful project, share what you achieved, such as beating the deadline by one week or reducing costs by 10%. 

Stand out with powerful cover letter keywords and phrases 

Cover letter keywords are an important way to differentiate yourself from other job seekers. As you write your next resume, CV, or cover letter, make sure to incorporate target phrases that align with what hiring teams are looking for in a candidate. Before you know it, you’ll be scheduling interviews and making progress in your search for your dream job. 

Source: 

(1) Jobsolv (via Medium.com): How Jobseekers Can Leverage AI in The Hiring Process