Being the recipient of an award is definitely something you don't want to keep to yourself when you're applying for a job. While the most appropriate place for listing prestigious awards is in your resume, there are ways to work some types of recognitions into your cover letter, as well, to grab the interviewer's attention.
According to McGill University, the most important part about writing a cover letter is knowing yourself and knowing your audience. So, make sure you note the awards in the appropriate context of the letter rather than simply providing a laundry list of accolades. For instance, in an application for scholarship in university, you might highlight the award you received for tutoring in high school as you highlight their peer tutoring program.
If you were recognized with an award from an industry association, such as a chamber of commerce, small business development organization or a significant industry peer group, it's worth noting it in your cover letter. Work the recognition into the portion of the letter that addresses your work history and your knowledge of your line of business.
Advertisement Article continues below this adFor example, in a cover letter for award submission applications geared toward telecommunication professionals, you might note, "As a 20-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, I take great pride in staying ahead of industry trends. In fact, I was recognized with a 'visionary thinker' award from my previous employer." Your application for award submission will stand out from the crowd when you show that you have been recognized in the past.
Significant professional milestones and recognitions are of interest to potential employers. According to the University of Wisconsin, you want to include anything especially pertinent to the job in your cover letter, but you don't need to replicate what is already on your resume or CV. So, weave professional awards into your cover letter in the context of your personal commitment to ongoing professional enrichment. You might include something like, "I continually strive to contribute at optimum levels in all facets of my work. In fact, I recently received a 'promising young executive' award from my colleagues."
Advertisement Article continues below this adYou should also include any prominent award that is well-known in your field, or among the general business community, in your cover letter. You should note the award as part of an explanation of your standing in your industry. For example, you might say, "I am applying for this finance position because I have a long-term commitment to helping small business owners secure operational start-up funding. In recognition of my efforts, I received an advocacy award from the U.S. Small Business Administration."
Any award you receive that's related to outstanding customer service is worthy of noting in a cover letter as well. The type of industry doesn't matter; providing superior service is a quality all employers want to have in an employee. Mention your award in the context of your commitment to representing a business. You might say, "I know quality service is a cornerstone of your corporate philosophy. I share that same belief, as I am the proud recipient of a customer service excellence award from my previous employer."