There are two schools of thought regarding cover letters: 1) “They’re not important, and no one reads them anyway”. Or… 2) “I reject anyone who doesn’t send a cover letter”.
Personally, I sit somewhere in the middle. I don’t think cover letters are as important as your CV – and I certainly wouldn’t reject the perfect candidate because they hadn’t written a cover letter. But if you had two pretty much identical CVs – one had written a cover letter highlighting their relevant experience and expressing their interest in the role and company – and the other had applied with just their CV and no cover letter to give any context, who do you think you would invite for an interview?
I think cover letters are particularly important if you’re trying to switch careers and applying for a role completely different from your previous skills and experience. Cover letters help give context to this situation and prevent a Hiring Manager from scratching their head and thinking, ‘Eh, why have they applied for this role?’ With a cover letter explaining your reasons, they now understand and can see your transferable skills highlighted, and hopefully invite you to an interview.
They also come into their own when applying to smaller companies rather than larger corporates, where you might be working directly with the Founder. Team fit and enthusiasm can be more important than experience for these smaller firms. In this instance, a cover letter can also flatter the Founder(s) and allow your personality to shine through.
But what is a cover letter?
A cover letter is simply a letter or email addressed to the interviewer or hiring manager. It accompanies your CV when you apply for a job.
I think cover letters are an integral part of the application process. As I said, you can use them to highlight your key skills and strengths, emphasise your relevant experience, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
A cover letter is a great tool for sealing the deal, showing your personality, and encouraging a hiring manager to invite you for a job interview. Here are my top tips on how to create a great cover letter that will prevent you from blending in with all the other applications (and being honest, even just having a cover letter will help you stand out against the 100s of other applicants who don’t include one and give the impression they are spraying and praying with their applications).
Research
Before you start writing your cover letter, research the organisation. Who are they? What do they do? Who are their competitors? Have they been in the news recently – if so, why? The more you know about the organisation, the easier it will be to write about why you want to work there and whether it will be a good fit.
For further ideas on researching a potential employer, read my blog post – How to prepare for an interview and land your dream job.
Who should your cover letter address?
Ideally, you should personalise your cover letter and address it to the person reviewing CVs. This information should be in the job advert. If not, try to track down the Recruiter’s or Hiring Manager’s name on LinkedIn or the company website. You could always call the organisation and ask if you can’t find the details.
Using the correct person’s name will demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position and your initiative in obtaining their details.
If you still can’t find their name, ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ will suffice.
How should you structure your cover letter?
Following your greeting, the first paragraph should set the context for the letter and highlight why you are getting in touch and applying for the role.
For example, ‘I would like to apply for the Financial Accountant position that I saw advertised on the Investing in Women job board. I have enclosed my CV for your consideration’.
The second paragraph should talk about your suitability for the vacancy. Refer to the job advert to see what the expected duties are and the keywords used. Draw out any relevant experience and pepper this paragraph with these exact keywords (if applicable). This will help ensure your application gets through any automated Applicant Tracking System that uses keywords to pick out candidates and decide which to shortlist.
For example, ‘As you will see from my CV, I am an ACA-qualified accountant with four years of PQE. I have experience preparing accounts within large organisations, producing advanced financial modelling, meeting tight deadlines, and working with various stakeholders.’
The third paragraph should include details of why the organisation should hire you and highlight your key achievements related to the skills needed for the role.
For example, ‘In my current role, I have streamlined and automated various processes using financial modelling and advanced Excel, resulting in a time saving of 2 days at month’s end’ (remember, recruiters like to see measurable achievements). To help you write this paragraph, refer to the STAR technique I discuss in How to Write a Great CV in Six Easy Steps. You can also write about your achievements in bullet form, making them stand out on the page.
In the fourth paragraph, you should reiterate your enthusiasm for the vacancy, using the job advert as a guide, weaving in your research on the organisation.
For example, ‘I believe I would be a great hire for your organisation and bring the same level of dedication, innovation, and enthusiasm that I have brought to previous roles. With your recent success with X and my experience in advanced automation and financial modelling, I am confident we will be a great fit. I will be able to quickly add value and contribute to your continued growth and success.’
End on a high
Do not feel you can only apply for a role if you meet all the job requirements. Some studies show that women only apply for a job if they meet 100% of the requirements, whilst men will apply if they meet 60%.
A role should stretch you. There’s an argument that if you can do everything required from day one, you will not progress in your career and will quickly become bored.
Don’t use a cover letter to apologise for any experience you don’t yet have. Instead, reiterate your interest in the position and add a call to action.
For example – ‘Thank you, PERSON NAME, for taking the time to review my application. I believe, as you will see from my CV, that I am a strong candidate for the role. I look forward to meeting you to discuss my application further.’
If you discover the person’s name, sign off ‘Yours Sincerely’. If your cover letter is addressed to ‘Dear Sir/Madam, ‘ sign off on ‘Yours Faithfully’ followed by your name.
Keep it short and concise
As a rule of thumb, keep your cover letter to about half a page of A4. Any longer, and you risk boring the reader. If it is any shorter, you won’t have covered all the points in enough depth.
Don’t forget
Once finished, proofread your Cover Letter to check for any spelling mistakes. Poor spelling looks sloppy and gives the impression that you will overlook areas of your role. Use this opportunity to edit out any unnecessary words or phrases.
As a general rule, don’t mention salary expectations just yet unless the organisation has asked explicitly for that information.
To be consistent, use the same font used in your CV. Avoid using fancy (i.e. distracting) graphics and pictures.
Remember to tailor your cover letter to each job advert rather than sending a generic cover letter for each role. When you take the time to tailor your cover letter (and CV) for each position, you have the opportunity to sell yourself, your skills and your experience to the Hiring Manager, and your application will stand out against the other applicants.
Double-check the employer and hiring manager’s names. The easiest way to guarantee NOT to be invited to an interview is to address your cover letter to the wrong person.
Finally, be confident when writing your cover letter that you are the perfect applicant for the job. The fact that you are reviewing this blog now shows that you are a conscientious and diligent individual. Your next employer will be lucky to have you.
Crafting a cover letter that captures your essence and professional prowess is an art. If you truly want to make your application shine, a great cover letter should speak volumes about your unique value and resonate with the recruiter. Follow the steps above, and you’ll be well on your way…
And, once you get that interview request, don’t forget to read my blog post – How to prepare for an interview and land your dream job.
Good luck!
Blog Summary:
A Cover Letter is Important: While not as crucial as your CV, a well-crafted cover letter can distinguish you from equally qualified candidates, especially in career transitions. It provides context for your application and highlights your enthusiasm for the role.
Personalisation is Key: Research the company and address your cover letter to a specific person. Personalising your letter shows initiative and a genuine interest in the position.
Content Structure: Begin with an introduction to your application, followed by paragraphs that highlight your suitability for the role, your relevant achievements, and your enthusiasm for the company. Use keywords from the job advert to align your experience with the employer’s requirements.
Conciseness and Confidence: Keep your cover letter concise, about half a page of A4, focusing on your strengths and how you can contribute to the company. End with a confident call to action, inviting the hiring manager to discuss your application further.
Crafting a cover letter that captures your essence and professional prowess is an art. If want to make your application shine truly, our CV Glow-Up service is your go-to solution. Not only will we help you polish your CV to perfection, but we’ll also work with you to create a cover letter that speaks volumes about your unique value. With our expertise, your cover letter will stand out, not just for its content but for its ability to resonate with recruiters. Ready to take your application to the next level? Explore our CV Glow-Up service, and let’s start crafting your career success story.