The importance of a cover letter & how to write one.

 Why is a cover letter so important?

 The cover letter provides the employer/recruiter with further detail on how your skill set aligns with the role, it not only shows them what you can bring to the team but also why you want the position.

Cover letters also allow the employer/recruiter to develop a better understanding of your suitability for the role.

The cover letter is more detailed than a CV, it allows you to add all the important details that tell valuable information about your relevant skills and expertise that align with the role you’re applying for.

Customise your cover letter according to the job requirements instead of sending the same document to various companies at various job positions. It shows your unique skills that relate to the job role as opposed to a broad document that can possibly apply to more than one role.

How to write a good cover letter.

Research - Before you start writing do your research! Find out more about the company and the specific role you’re applying for. Carefully read the job description, but also have a look at the company’s website. This helps you to set the tone and customise the cover letter to ensure its not generic.

Strong opening – Rather than “I’m applying for X job that I found in Y place” you want to start with a stronger opening sentence. Start by telling the employer/recruiter why the job excites you, what skills sets you can offer & bring to the role. For example “ I am an Agency Recruitment Manager with more than 16 years’ experience, I would love to bring my knowledge, expertise & enthusiasm to your Recruitment Development team”. This can be followed by a few sentences talking about your background and any relevant experience you have that suits the criteria of the role.

Emphasise your value – Going back on the research you did earlier, show that you know what the company does and some of the challenges they face. You could how the industry has been affected by the pandemic. For example, “A lot of health care companies are overwhelmed with the need to provide high-quality care while protecting the health and safety of their staff.” Follow that by talking about how your experience has equipped you to meet those needs. You could even explain how you solved a similar problem in the past or share a relevant accomplishment.

Enthusiasm – Often when you don’t get hired, it’s usually not because of a lack of skills, it’s because people didn’t believe that you wanted the job. Recruiters are going to go with the candidate who has made it seem like this is their dream job. So, ensure you make it clear why you want the position. Your enthusiasm conveys your personality.

Keeping it short – The best cover letter should not exceed one page. It should be brief enough to be read at a glance.

Do:

  • Have a strong opening statement that makes clear why you want the job and what you bring to the table.
  • Be concise — an employer should be able to read your letter at a glance.
  • Share an accomplishment that shows you can address the challenges the employer is facing.

Don’t:

  • Try to be funny — too often it falls flat.
  • Send a generic cover letter — customise each one for the specific job role.
  • Go overboard with flattery — keep it professional and mature.

 

 

The importance of a cover letter & how to write one.

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