All job seekers need to somehow market their skills and abilities, attract the reader's attention and show recruiters why they are the right person for the job vacancy.

This style of self-marketing for a job application can come in the form of a cover letter attached to the resume, with the aim of showing the employer how you can afford the advertised job role and what you can offer to the company in question.

What is the cover letter

A cover letter is an accompanying and explanatory letter that is attached to the job seeker's employment application and with his resume, the cover letter is not mandatory, but it is better to attach a well-written cover letter as it increases the likelihood of employment for the job seeker.

Why is a cover letter attached to a job application

If you want to have the opportunity to draw the attention of the employer, it is necessary to include a cover letter with the application for employment.

But why

Simply put – even if you create an effective and exceptional resume, using all the keywords, qualifications, etc., it is possible that there are candidates who are more qualified than you or have more experience, so it is necessary to add a cover letter to support your resume and allow the hiring manager to see your personal side that is relevant for the job vacancy.

• The cover letter highlights your communication skills.
• The cover letter is considered an introduction to the resume.
• The cover letter can be used to confirm some skills, or mention skills that you could not mention in the resume (and be attached)
• The cover letter is assigned to each job in a special way, to show why you are the right person for this role, in turn, the resume sometimes remains, but not always, fixed for all applications.
• The cover letter is the added value you need in your job application to ensure that you arrive for the personal interview you have been waiting for.

Also, cover letters are considered clarifications of information that may be missing from the resume, such as breaks at work, travel, study periods, etc.

The benefits of writing a cover letter :

• The cover letter directly adds to your likelihood of being called up For a personal interview And increase your chances of getting a job.
• Hiring managers will see your additional efforts
• Show that you have done research to learn more about the company
• Add distinction to your order
• Show your interest in the vacancy
• Hiring managers will recognize your best traits
• Knowing the content of the cover letter accurately will guarantee you a key advantage over other applicants.

The three types of cover letters

The letter you write is influenced by whether you are going to apply directly for a job, indicating a referral, or an application for vacancies that are not currently advertised, so you will need to choose the appropriate type to send with your resume.

There are three types of cover letters that you can send to the hiring manager are:

First: the cover letter for applying for jobs

It is a traditional letter that you send to the hiring manager when you see a company advertising an open job. And if you want to apply directly for a job, it is better to send this letter, unless you are explicitly asked not to send it.

With this letter, you can state why you want to work for a specific company and why you are the ideal candidate for the job.

Second: the message of attention

Let's say there is a company that you would really like to work for. It suits your professional ambition, and you know that it offers great benefits and good pay. However, you cannot find any vacancies that correspond to your skill set.

If this is the case, then you don't have to sit and wait until they have a job opportunity. You can start the step with a message of interest. This type of cover letter is known by other names, such as: letter of intent, statement of interest

Of course, since there is no specific job, there is no role that you can specifically mention, and this is the main difference between the letter of interest and the traditional cover letter. Your goal will be to promote yourself enough so that the employer has to meet you.

Third: cover letters via e-mail

Over the years, the job application process has almost turned into an almost 100% online recruitment process and given this, it may be necessary to send a cover letter by email as part of your job application.

During the application, there may be no option to upload your cover letter. Or maybe you just want to send it in the body of your email along with your resume. You can send it in one of two ways, either in the body of the e-mail message or as an attachment (in PDF format).

The universally accepted length of the cover letter is no more than one page of the letter, which in total contains about 250-300 words for the main text.

How to write a cover letter:

Cover letters generally follow a basic structure and can be and be either a file attached to an e-mail, or written directly in an e-mail message.

First: the purpose of the message:

The main objective of the cover letter should be to highlight the value you add to the company and how your skills and experience can contribute to achieving the company's goals.

Second: the beginning:

Start the letter with a greeting to the employer, in which you can indicate the job being applied for and the source from which you learned about the job.

Third: the main body of the message:

The main body of the dissertation consists of 2-3 paragraphs highlighting your main experience and skills and how you can use them to achieve success in the job for which you are applying. You may mention some past achievements that highlight your skills and abilities.

Fourth: sending the message:

The cover letter should be addressed to the company and the assigned position, and not a generic version for all companies to which you are applying. You can show that you have researched the company and understand its values and culture.

Fifth: conclusion:

In this part you can express your thanks and gratitude to the employer for considering your application and express your desire to meet in person for further discussion.

Sixth: attention to detail:

Be sure to carefully review the cover letter to make sure there are no spelling or language errors.

Seventh: the appropriate length:

Try to keep the cover letter concise and concise within one page.

Necessary tips on cover letters:

• It is important to highlight your strengths and delve into related achievements that show your ability to take on new responsibilities.

• Do not repeat the information or be too detailed because the hiring managers simply do not have time to read everything and will move on to the next application as soon as possible.

Resumes over 600 words are rejected 43% faster and cover letters can fall into this trap as well.

So an important tip: Keep the cover letter short, concise and concise!

• The importance of adding a cover letter with a job application is often overlooked by job seekers of all categories and this should significantly reduce your chances of getting an interview with an employer.

Therefore, you don't have to ask yourself when to write a cover letter because the answer is very simple – it is always convenient that you add a cover letter in your job application, unless the advertisement asks not to.

• Use a professional email address for your contact information which does not include your current business email but a suitable personal email address.
• Remember to focus on the needs of the company you are applying for and the requirements and abilities of the ideal candidate for the role. Focus not on how you can benefit from becoming part of their team, but on how the team can benefit from your experience and knowledge.
• Remember to highlight transferable/transferable skills especially in cases where you may not meet all the skills required in the job description.
• Each job or task should be assigned its own cover letter, as cover letters for internships, for graduate studies or even for volunteering experience in the facility.
• Use specific examples to show your individual ability to take on the role and write about previous assignments or successful projects for you with the cover letter to convey more of your personality and passion for the sector or profession.
• At the end of the cover letter, conclude the letter in a convincing and attractive style for the recruitment specialist
• Finally upon completion of the cover letter, one of the most important steps in the process is proofreading. A job seeker should ask a friend, teacher or colleague to take a look at their cover letter to notice language and spelling mistakes and note any unwanted repetition or irrelevant information.

Some job seekers may consider a cover letter unnecessary, but as most HR professionals agree that without a good cover letter, candidates lose the possibility of showing different aspects than mentioned in their resume, which may be the decision factor in your application!

We hope that this article fulfills all aspects related to the cover letter smoothly and clearly, and for further inquiries you can book an appointment to communicate with the professional mentor and request a consultation.

Sources :

1. resumecoach.com
2. zety.com