Your cover letter is your chance to make a strong first impression and bring your CV to life. In this section, you'll learn what makes a great cover letter and how to tailor it to different roles and industries. Explore key do’s and don’ts to craft a compelling and professional letter, ensuring you highlight your skills, experiences, and motivation effectively. Plus, access helpful resources to refine your approach and make your application stand out. Let your cover letter be the key that opens the door to new opportunities!
A cover letter (CL), also called a letter of application or covering letter, presents you for the first time to a prospective employer or networking contact. The purpose is to convey your interest in a target position, or if not applying for a specific position, then the cover letter will introduce your purpose in targeting a specific company, offering potential value to the organization.
Your CV presents the facts, but your cover letter brings them to life. Rather than repeating your CV, use the cover letter to showcase your personal brand and make a strong first impression—sometimes, it’s the only thing a recruiter sees!
The best cover letters are ones that are customized to the role and the company.
The best cover letters are tailored to the role and company, focusing on how your skills align with the position. Research the employer and industry to show genuine interest and demonstrate your value. Use the job description to draw clear connections between you and the role. Look at the table to the left as an example.
Before you send out your cover letter, make sure it’s polished, professional, and tailored to the role. Keep these key points in mind to make a strong impression and increase your chances of landing the job!
Address a specific person and spell names correctly.
State the position and your interest in it.
Highlight relevant skills with examples.
Keep it original and professional.
Focus on what you can offer the company.
Check spelling, grammar, and formatting carefully.
Express appreciation and include your signature if possible.
Use varied sentence structures and limit “I”/“my.”
Avoid repeating your CV.
A common mistake in cover letters is not properly addressing the target employer. If the company name in the body of the letter isn’t updated, it shows a lack of attention to detail, which can hurt your chances with recruiters.
Echo the job description’s language in your cover letter to show you understand the role and align with the employer’s needs. This helps the reader think, "This person fits the description."
Make your first paragraph engaging by summarizing your qualifications and grabbing the employer’s attention. Avoid clichés like “Enclosed please find my CV” and focus on writing a letter that makes the employer want to learn more about you.
Keep your cover letter concise, no longer than one page. Avoid lengthy narratives and focus on qualifications that sell you to the employer. Use bullet points to break up text, and keep language simple and direct to answer the question, "Why should I hire this person?"
Typos and grammar mistakes can harm your professional reputation. Proofread your letter multiple times, and have a friend review it to ensure it's flawless before sending it out.
You can use your cover letter to highlight the aspects of your CV that are relevant to the position, but you're wasting precious space and the potential employer’s time if you simply repeat your CV.
