1.) Keep it Positive
· The purpose of a cover letter is to pique the employer’s interest so they will want to interview you. Don’t drone on about your unemployment and the struggles that is has presented.
· Emphasize your strongest qualifications and try to put a positive spin on how being unemployed has made you more eager to use them.
· Address relevant skills, abilities, education and experience that will enable you to provide exemplary work
2.) Fill The Gap
· Demonstrate what you’ve done to be productive while you’ve been at home.
· If you’ve been sitting idle at home it’s time to spring into action! If you haven’t done anything career related during your unemployment, start now.
· Start volunteering, go back to school or acquire some freelance work.
3.) Be Honest, But Don’t Over share
· Millions of people have lost their jobs recently, and employment gaps no longer carry the stigma they once did. It’s not necessary to explain a few months of
unemployment due to circumstances beyond your control, such as a layoff.
· Tell it straight, and don’t make apologies. Show the interviewer how this makes you a more attractive candidate. For example, add a line to your cover letter saying something like, “Returning to full-time employment after caring for an ill family member, I am eager to contribute my 15 years’ experience in (career field) to benefit your company.”
4.) Focus on your strengths
· If job seekers can draw a correlation between what they offer and how they will benefit the employer, then the cover letter should achieve some real success
· Show transferable skills from your previous experience.
