The importance of the cover letter

That tired old saying ‘first impressions last’ has never been more accurate than when it is applied to the use of a cover letter when applying for a position. In this day and age – given the fact that most communications happen over the internet via e-mail – lots of job seekers tend to think that the cover letter has become redundant. This could not be further from the truth. The reality is that while many recipients do skip reading the cover letter, most of them notice when it is not there. The result is an immediate impression that the job seeker does not really care for the job, otherwise he or she would have made the effort, right? The same goes for a sloppy and unoriginal cover letter – this one page introduction (which should include a snappy summary of why you would be perfect for the job, given your excellent track record) is the first glimpse the recruiter will see of you. A bad cover letter can completely ruin your chances of even getting an interview, much less the job. So, brush of those writing skills, and let’s get started. Some general advice: Before you start typing, it is advisable that you do your homework in two very important areas. Your first task will be to study the advertisement for the position in question in the smallest detail. It is crucial that you take a very good look at this job description, so that you can figure out exactly what the company wants from the suitable candidate. The second area where you need to do some research is finding out as much as you can about the company and its place in the industry. A little bit of research could take you a long way, especially if you can work some of your new found information about the firm into your letter. Say, for instance, the firm has opened a new branch in an area close to you – it would be beneficial to mention that you have taken a closer look at the new development (if indeed that is the case) and that you would be interested to see where it goes and how you could contribute to its success. A word on format Many a cover letter gets tossed because the applicant simply did not write the letter in a professional manner. For example, it is very important that you include your name and occupation, contact details and address in the letter. The best way forward is to use a standard business letter format. First off, start by addressing the person in question and stating which position you are applying for. Include a reference number if applicable – remember that big companies may be advertising a bunch of positions simultaneously. It is also a good idea to address the letter directly to the human resources manager, if you could fish out his or her name somehow. Introducing . . . Next on your list will be the introduction. This should consist of a brief paragraph, a sentence or two, in which you introduce yourself and describe your current occupation. Most importantly, your introduction should explain why you would be perfect for this job. Add some body Now we get to the interesting stuff. The body of your cover letter should amount to about two paragraphs in which you get to deliver your sales pitch. This is your chance to list – in bullet format if you want – your core competencies and achievements, and how you imagine this would be the ideal fit with the company’s requirements. Try to ensure that every item on your list corresponds directly to the company’s needs (as expressed in their advertisement). Remember to be as specific as possible. Don’t fall for the temptation of filling your cover letter with fluff. Try to provide concrete examples of your skills and of what you’ve achieved. In conclusion Be sure to end your cover letter on a positive, decisive note. For example, you could state that you hope to hear from the firm in question, seeing as you view it as a dynamic market leader (again, if that is indeed the case), and that you would value the opportunity to contribute to their success. And finally . . . For goodness sake, have someone with some language skills proof read your cover letter before you send it away. Don’t let spelling and grammar mistakes scuttle your chances.