What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a one-page document you will have to submit along with your CV for the majority of your job applications. It provides the manager/recruiter with relevant information on your background, making it easier for them to develop a more complete idea of your suitability for the company.
It is important to remember that a cover letter is not a CV. Your CV should state the facts about your background. A cover letter should function as a complement to your CV by expanding on it and displaying your personality. Therefore, it should include the qualifications, experiences, and skills you have that are relevant to the specific job, and it should explain how these make you the perfect candidate for the role and how the role is the perfect fit for you.
The cover letter is an important factor in the manager’s decision about whether you’re a good fit for the role in question. A good cover letter can attract the manager’s attention and help them decide to proceed with your application, while a bad cover letter—one which does not truly showcase your abilities and skills and how you and the company make a good match—might cause the manager to not give your application the attention it deserves and, eventually, to decide against offering you the position. It is therefore vital to write a memorable cover letter
Before you start writing
Do your research. Researching the company is vital to writing a good cover letter. Understanding the job description is important, but you should dig a bit deeper. Research the organization, its culture, the industry it operates in, its goals, its current and future projects, and its competitors. This will help you customize your cover letter to fit the specific company’s needs and avoid sounding too generic. Understanding the company’s principles and style will help you determine the tone of your cover letter and effectively showcase how your experiences and skills make you a good match for them.
Writing your cover letter
When writing your cover letter try to keep it brief, clear, and well-organized, both visually and content-wise. Following a plan can be really helpful when writing your cover letter. A possible plan to follow will be outlined below, to help you when structuring and writing your cover letter.
Personal details
A cover letter should always state your name and contact details at the top (header). You don’t need to include your websites—just include your phone number and email, as well as the date.
Opening paragraph
Pay attention to your first few sentences, as they are the ones that will catch the reader’s attention and determine whether they will want to read the whole thing. Make sure these sentences attract the reader’s interest. Here you can choose the path you want to follow, by 1) highlighting your skills, experiences and achievements, 2) focusing on the employer’s needs, or 3) focusing on your enthusiasm for the specific position.
Why you?
Following the opening paragraph, you need to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the role. You have to show clearly that you will satisfy the position’s and the company’s needs. Highlight your previous experiences and the skills you have acquired to explain how they will help you on the job. Emphasize any additional strengths you have and how they make you a good match.
Why them?
Showing the hiring manager that you want this specific job and not just any job will have a positive impact on your application. This is a good opportunity to showcase the research you have done on the company. You could refer to a project or goal the company is working toward, explain why you find it interesting and challenging, and highlight how your experience relates to it. You could also discuss the company’s values and explain how they closely align with your background and personality, making your input valuable to the company.
Closing sentences
Use this part to reiterate your interest, background, and reasons for choosing to apply. Finally, make sure to indicate that you want to move forward with a call or an in-person interview. But remember, don’t come off as needy. Focus on how much you can offer, not on how much you want the job.
