Why do employers need a cover letter?
A cover letter is one of the most important documents that should be included in your portfolio during the recruitment process. Its goal is to convince the employer why you are the ideal candidate for the position. Although a cover letter is not always required by employers, it is worth knowing how to write it to impress a recruiter. This document is intended to convince not only with its content, but also with its form. Candidates who send a cover letter give a sign that they are creative, hardworking people and care about employment. The letter often helps the employer decide what it is, who he will eventually meet at the interview.
What should be in the cover letter? Key elements
Before you write a cover letter, check what elements must be included in it. The correct structure of the letter will facilitate the work of the recruiter - he will not have to search for important information among long paragraphs. Remember to take care of the form of your cover letter. The document should begin with an introduction, in which you need to attract the attention of the recruiter and interest him in your person.
Headline in the cover letter
The header of the letter is where you put your basic contact details, such as your name, email address, phone number. This is important information that will make it easier for the employer to contact you. It is worth taking care of aesthetic and legible formatting of the header so that it reflects professionalism and attention to detail.
Addressing a letter
Try to address your cover letter directly to a specific recipient. If the job advertisement indicates the contact details of the person responsible for recruitment, it is worth using their first and last name. However, if you do not have such information, you can send a letter to a general addressee, e.g. „Ladies and Gentlemen.” However, it is worth making every effort to know the name and surname of the person responsible for the recruitment process.
Termination and signature
A cover letter is an official document designed to emphasize your professionalism. So you can't end it with a simple “salutation”. In the last paragraph of the cover letter, summarize your achievements and refer to the resume. In addition, encourage the recruiter to contact you - however, do it in an unobtrusive and polite manner. You can use the following phrases:
- “I will be happy to share details about my experience at the recruitment meeting.”
- “I think I could contribute to the development of your company, which I will gladly tell you about during the conversation.”
- “The recruitment meeting will be the perfect opportunity to tell you about my experience.”
Under the last paragraph there should be a greeting and a signature. The cover letter should end with an official phrase, such as “with respect”, “respectfully” and sign with your full name and surname.
Content of the cover letter
The content of the cover letter is an essential part of the document and should focus on why you are the ideal candidate for the position. Present your experience, skills and achievements that are relevant to the position for which you are applying.
Why this job and this company?
In this part of the letter, you should explain why you were interested in a particular job offer and why you want to work in a particular company. You can refer to the mission, values or particularities of the company that attract you. Show that you have a good understanding of what the employer is looking for and how you can bring value to the company.
Why should they hire you?
In this part of the letter, focus on why you are the ideal candidate for the position. Present your skills, experience and achievements that are consistent with the requirements of the employer. Explain what benefits your employment can bring to the company. It is worth highlighting the unique qualities that distinguish you from other candidates.
Adapting the letter to the announcement
When writing a cover letter, it is worthwhile to carefully study the content of the job advertisement and adapt the content of the letter to the requirements of the employer. Show that you understand what the company expects from candidates and how you can meet those expectations. It is worth highlighting the key points of the announcement and referring to them in the body of the letter.
Formatting and appearance of the letter
It is not only the content of the cover letter that matters, but also its formatting and appearance. Take care of the aesthetics of the document and make all the elements clear and organized.
Correct formatting
Accurate formatting of your cover letter is of great importance. Align the content to the left margin for readability. Break the text into short paragraphs to make it easier to read. Make sure paragraph spacing is adequate and use a legible font such as Times New Roman or Arial. Avoid fonts that are too large or too small, which can make it difficult to read. Also, do not use too fancy fonts - using them can negatively affect the perception of you as a good candidate for the position.
Letter length
The cover letter should be concise, but at the same time contain enough information to convince the employer. Try to make the content of the letter fit on one page. If you have a lot to say, you can use two pages, but be sure to keep it legible and not overdo the amount of information.
Writing an effective cover letter can be a challenge, but understanding the key elements and applying the right advice can help you create a letter that will catch your employer's attention. Remember to personalize the letter, adapt it to the job advertisement and take care of formatting. This will increase your chances of being invited to an interview and getting your dream job.
