A cover letter is usually only for line managers.
Cover letter or not?
You often hear when applying for a job that the applicant ought to submit a cover letter along with their CV (do recruiters read your CV?) to apply for the available post, but what does this letter entail and is it important at all?
Who should create a cover letter?
A cover letter is usually the introduction of the potential candidate to the employer even before the employer gets to the actual CV. In it you can describe more about yourself, your skills, qualifications and why you are a perfect fit for the job.
In most cases a job advert will specify that the applicant must have the said letter attached to their CV, if not, then it’s at the applicant’s discretion whether or not they want to add it or not. Needless to say, this letter is your chance to make a good first impression with your prospective employer.
What types of cover letters are there? There are several, but the following are the examples of 3 types:
• Referral – this one will include the name of the individual who referred you to the job
• Application letter – these are tailored to the specific job vacancy
• Letter of interest / prospecting letter – this one will enquired whether or not there is an opening at the firm or in the position
It is important to make sure that you use the correct letter in the correct instance when applying to a job posting. If not this may confuse things and won’t look great your side since this is your first contact with potential employers.
How to write a smashing cover letter
Based on your selection, you ought to adapt the information on the specific cover letter to coincide with the application. There are many samples online that can help you refine your particular letter with excellent step-by-step guides. For one, the letter should be structured with a heading, greeting, introduction, body and closing. You may also add your signature or simply print your name and surname at the end.
The basic thing to remember when writing either one is to make it count, if it is badly written it can end up being overlooked. Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors may also be a bad reflection on your behalf so you have to do some good proofreading before you send it off. You have to put everything into your letter to really sell your skills and qualified expertise to your prospective employer.
You should also ensure that the letter mentions where and how you heard about the job, why you should be chosen for the job, your skills suited to the job and a thanks in advance. Thanking the prospective employer for considering you for the said job is also your way of “closing the deal” with them.
One point to be taken seriously is that when sending an application to a recruiter, generally a cover letter is not necessary, but it may be if approaching and applying to a company line manager directly.
The next time you write your cover letter, make sure that you use these handy tips and ensure a better chance of landing your next job.
