Cover letter
Cover Letter
All job seekers need to market their skills and abilities in some way, grab the reader's attention and show recruiters why they are the right person for the job opening.
This style of self-marketing for a job application can come in the form of a cover letter attached to a CV, with the aim of showing the employer how you stand up to the advertised job role and what you can offer the company in question.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is an accompanying and explanatory letter that is attached to a job seeker's employment application and his or her CV. A cover letter is not mandatory, but it is better to attach a well-written cover letter as it increases the job seeker's likelihood of employment.
Why include a cover letter with a job application?
If you want to stand a chance of catching an employer's attention, it's essential to include a cover letter with your application.
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 essential to add a cover letter to support your resume and allow the hiring manager to see your personal side. Be suitable for the job vacancy.
- Your cover letter highlights your communication skills.
- A cover letter is an introduction to a resume.
- The cover letter can be used to confirm some skills, or mention skills that you could not mention in the CV (and be attached)
- The cover letter is specifically tailored to each job, to show why you are the right person for this role. In contrast, the CV sometimes, but not always, remains constant for all applications.
- A cover letter is the added value you need in your job application to ensure you land the interview you've been waiting for.
Cover letters are also clarifications of information that may be missing from the CV, such as breaks in work, travel, periods of study, etc.
Benefits of writing a cover letter:
- A cover letter directly adds to your likelihood of being called For personal interview It increases your chances of getting the job.
- Hiring managers will see your extra efforts
- It shows that you have done your research to learn more about the company
- Adds distinction to your order
- Show your interest in the vacancy
- Hiring managers will recognize your best attributes
- Knowing the content of your cover letter accurately will ensure you have a major advantage over other applicants.
The three types of cover letters
The letter you write is influenced by whether you will be making a direct application for the job, citing 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 CV.
There are three types of cover letters you can send to a hiring manager:
First: Cover letter to apply for jobs
It's a traditional letter you send to a hiring manager when you see a company advertising an open position. If you wish to apply directly for a job, it is best to send this message, unless you have been explicitly asked not to send it.
Through 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: Letter of interest
Let's say there's a company you'd really like to work for. It suits your career ambitions, and you know it offers great benefits and good pay. However, you cannot find any vacancies that match your skill set.
If this is the case, you don't have to sit and wait for them to have a job opening. You can start the step with a letter 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 you can specifically mention, which is the main difference between a letter of interest and a traditional cover letter. Your goal will be to promote yourself enough for an employer to interview you.
Third: Cover letters via email
Over the years, the job application process has shifted to being almost 100% online and due to this, it may be necessary to email a cover letter as part of your job application.
While applying, there may not be an 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 email or as an attachment (in PDF format).
The universally accepted length of a cover letter is no more than one page of the letter, which in total contains about 250-300 words of main text.
How to write a cover letter:
Cover letters generally follow a basic structure and can either be a file attached to an email, or written directly into an email.
First: The purpose of the message:
The main goal of your 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 position you are applying for and the source from which you learned about the job.
Third: The main body of the message:
The main body of the letter consists of 2-3 paragraphs that highlight your key experiences and skills and how you can use them to achieve success in the job you are applying for. You may mention some past achievements that highlight your skills and abilities.
Fourth: Directing the message:
Your cover letter should be directed to the specific company and position, 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 section, 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 details:
Make sure to review your cover letter carefully to make sure there are no spelling or linguistic errors.
Seventh: Suitable length:
Try to keep your cover letter concise and concise, within one page.
Essential tips about cover letters:
- It's important to highlight your strengths and delve into relevant accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to take on new responsibilities.
- Don't repeat information or be too detailed because hiring managers simply don't have time to read everything and will move on to the next application as quickly.
Resumes longer than 600 words are rejected 43% faster and cover letters can fall into this trap as well.
So important advice: Make your cover letter short, concise, and concise!
- The importance of adding a cover letter with your job application is often overlooked by job seekers of all stripes and this can significantly reduce your chances of getting an interview with an employer.
So, you don't have to ask yourself when you should write a cover letter because the answer is very simple – it is always appropriate to include a cover letter in your job application, unless the ad asks not to.
- Use a professional email address for your contact information that does not include your current work email but an appropriate 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/particularly transferable skills in cases where you may not meet all the skills required in the job description.
- Each job or assignment should be assigned its own cover letter, such as cover letters for internships, graduate studies, or even volunteer experience at the facility.
- Use specific examples to show your individual ability to handle the role and write about previous assignments or successful projects of yours with your cover letter to convey more of your personality and passion for the sector or profession.
- At the end of your cover letter, conclude the letter in a manner that is persuasive and attractive to the hiring professional
- Finally when completing your cover letter, one of the most important steps in the process is to check your grammar and spelling. A job seeker should ask a friend, mentor or colleague to take a look at his or her cover letter to note grammatical and spelling errors and note any unwanted repetition or irrelevant information.
Some job seekers may find a cover letter unnecessary, but as most HR professionals agree, without a good cover letter, candidates lose the ability to show aspects different from what is stated on their resume, which could be the deciding factor in your application!
We hope that this article covers all aspects related to the cover letter in a smooth and clear manner. For further inquiries, you can book an appointment to communicate with a professional advisor and request advice.
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