The Best Tips On Writing The Perfect Cover Letter

Your CV may be the most perfected, tailored document to ever fall into an employer’s lap, but it isn’t always the ticket to success.

A cover letter is your opportunity to explain precisely why you are the right candidate for a specific role. You can go into much more detail regarding the ins and outs of the job; much more than you could on your CV.

Whilst cover letters must always remain professional throughout, it’s always clever to think outside the box a little and push your creative side.

After all, you want yours to stand out from the other applicants; so including a bit of light-hearted humour and passion is encouraged on a small level.

It’s crucial to be inventive and knowledgeable about it; because cover letters can make a promising candidate seem like an uncreative cut-and-paster. Sadly, too many cover letters read essentially the same. It’s your job to diversify yourself and draw in attention from the right people.

The most important tip that anyone can hear when producing a cover letter is to not be your own copycat. A lot of people write cover letters as if they were paragraph-form CVs. The fact is, your letter will be attached to your CV, so you can assume that they’ll have a glance at both. Instead, use your cover letter to show personality, passion for the role, your reasons for applying to this particular position, and an interest in the field you are applying to work in. Use it to show expertise, curiosity, and perhaps throw in a few facts about the company – this can go a long way for a candidate.

However, this is just the tip of the iceberg when you’re mastering the art of cover letter writing. You need to be able to explain what you have that they need. By being placed into a new job, you’re fulfilling a service; so what can you bring to the table that others cannot?

We’ve all heard the term ‘less is more’ and with cover letters, this is absolutely how it should be. You should skip any wordy content and jump right into something juicy. This is also the case for your addressee. Sometimes, you don’t know exactly who will be reading your letter. You should avoid the generic and bland “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern” at all costs. If you 100% don’t know who you should be addressing, then don’t address anybody whatsoever. Instead, just get straight into the body of the letter.

Your introduction needs to be something snappy, concise and worthy of attention. Starting with something as dull as “My name is...and I am applying for the position as…” will surely see your letter being thrown straight into the bin. The employer already knows this, and you’ll sound inexperienced.

Don’t make it too lengthy – as soon as you’ve summed up everything you have to say, end it. There is no use repeating details you have already clarified or summarising with paragraph after paragraph. Employers want you to get to the point and keep them drawn in. If it’s longer than a page, you’re likely to lose them halfway through.

Cutting down the information and condensing your letter is all part of the creative process. It’s up to you to understand what goes where, and what doesn’t go anywhere. Writing an effective cover letter is a skill in itself, but it is a skill which will be looked upon with respect and credibility by potential hirers.

The best way to develop a worthwhile letter is to plan it, research the company’s background, compose a few drafts, get a professional opinion on it and then write a final version. Don’t act like it is an absolute breeze or a chore which can be dealt with in ten minutes; it will show in your application and it will impact how you are viewed by employers.

Don’t fall at the first hurdle by submitting a shoddy cover letter – there’s no excuse!