Why a Cover Letter is So Important

Job seekers often ask whether it is important to write a cover letter. Despite this, many of them will not approach the job of writing one very seriously, often treating it as little more than an afterthought. The resume is what consumes their thoughts, and they spend the bulk of their time and effort on this. Meanwhile, the cover letter itself is cast to one side, considered to be merely a necessary addition but one which is not really all that important.

This attitude is completely wrong. If you want your resume to jump out at the person reviewing it, then you most certainly do need to draft a well written cover letter. It really is impossible to overstate just how vital a cover letter can be in getting your resume to the top of the heap.

A recent survey of executives conducted by Robert Half international makes startling reading.

More than 9 out of 10 of the executives who were asked said that, when they were considering candidates for jobs, cover letters formed an important part of the decision making process.

It’s true that most of the job application process is online these days, but that doesn’t mean that you can afford to neglect your cover letter.

Of the managers who were asked, almost 8 in 10 said that even electronic job applications were often accompanied by cover letters. That underlines just how important a cover letter is. When you apply for a job, you will be competing against other applicants who will have submitted them. You need to show the same initiative and submit one of your own.

How to Write a Cover Letter

A hiring manager generally sees a cover letter before anything else. For that reason, it’s the main way to get him or her to take enough of an interest in you to read your resume. You therefore need to spend as much time getting your cover letter just right as you would on your resume itself. The format of a cover letter is very important, since you really do need to make it leap out at the hiring manager. Here are some hints on writing one with the greatest possible impact:

First, make sure that your cover letter is tailored precisely to the job you’re applying for. You’re not likely to get to the interview stage if your cover letter reads as though it could have been written for a whole range of positions. A hiring manager will want to know why you think you could fill their vacancy, and to do that you need to make it clear how the requirements of the job match your experience, skills, and abilities.

Don’t start off too generically. Make sure you know the name of the hiring manager who will be reading the letter, if necessary giving the company a call to find out.

Spend some time researching before you apply. That could mean networking with your professional contacts, online searches, or reading publications for the relevant industry. This will help you to show the hiring manager that you’re what the company is looking for, especially if you can show good background knowledge of the company itself. A hiring manager reading a cover letter from an applicant who has done his or her homework in this regard will be reassured and more likely to progress your application.

How to Format a Cover Letter

It’s important to realize that cover letters need to be written entirely differently from resumes, not simply reworded. The two documents are related, but they’re not the same thing. Try to avoid repeating yourself too much, but use one document to reinforce the points you’ve made in the other. Your introductory note will refer to your experiences and past employment, but its’ a good idea to change things around a bit from your resume. Use a less formal style and alter some of the wording.

Carefully read the list of requirements for the job you want. If they state that the position needs someone who is exceptional at communicating, then it’s a good idea to use the same wording in your cover letter. This will help to reinforce the idea that you are a good fit for the position.

Remember, making a letter longer doesn’t necessarily make it any better. It’s usually enough to state your case in about four paragraphs. Keep these short, to keep things clear. Think of the way you would construct a standard business letter: this is a good model to follow if you want your cover letter to come over well.

Finally, proofread your letter very carefully. It’s extremely important that your English is good, with correct spelling and grammar, and that the text flows well. It’s a good idea to ask for comments and critique from other people.

If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on the way to writing a great cover letter. That will produce a good impression on your prospective new employer and a greater chance of standing out from the crowd. That, in turn, means that you’ll have a better chance of getting that job!

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