(2) Cover Letter tips - is this still a thing?

Let's start with a question: Do you need a cover letter? Bear in mind that the time recruiters have to review your application is very limited. Having this in mind, should you really spend additional time writing the cover letter, or should you just focus on writing a great CV? As you can imagine, the answer is not so simple and might vary depending on specific details related to job opening or a candidate. There are also different opinions on this topic, so we will share our take on this.

Here's a simple situation – if a job ad states that a cover letter is not required, you shouldn't bother with it. We can safely assume that the recruiters will not look at the cover letter, so you should focus all your efforts in writing an excellent CV. As a part of the CV, you can add an intro summary, where you can add the most important info about yourself. The summary can also be adjusted to the job opening you are applying for, so it can be seen as a selling pitch that will help you stand out in the crowd. Some applications also have an option of a recorded video introduction which can be an effective and quick way to introduce yourself while not having to invest in writing a cover letter.

If a job ad does not state that a cover letter is needed but there is an option to add it, you can assume that sending one may give you a competitive edge compared to other candidates. However, this statement is only true if a cover letter is well written and adjusted to every job you apply for. If you don’t have time for this, it's better not to submit it. You will leave a better impression if you don’t submit a cover letter, compared to the situation where you submit a generic, or a badly prepared one. You won’t fool anyone, and frankly not even yourself into thinking that changing a company and position name is good enough – this is still a generic cover letter which does not add any value, and it is not adjusted to the job ad, company culture, values and any other information available online. So, if you don’t have time to adjust a cover letter, don’t submit it and concentrate on fine-tuning your CV – it will take less time and bring more value in return.

Finally, in a situation where you really want the role, the cover letter is required and you have time to prepare it, what should you pay attention to when you are preparing it?

Before you start writing: Read the job opening again. Go to the company website and learn everything you can about the company culture and values. Go through social network profiles and see what is written there. Cover letter is a chance to talk about the company, to show what you know about it and why you are the best fit for the role. We understand this might be overwhelming and you might not want to do this at a time when there is no guarantee you will be invited to an interview. Please note that you can spend more or less time exploring the information about the company - the choice is yours. Also, if you get invited to a job interview (follow us and see our recommendation about how to prepare for an interview, which will be published in two weeks) the research of the company will be already done, so this will save some time later in the hiring process. Finally, if this is your dream job, do this without hesitation.?

Length: The cover letter should not be longer than 5 paragraphs. We would expect to see at least three paragraphs, but if you manage to organize it and add all necessary information in two paragraphs this might be fine too.

Grammar: Make sure there are no spelling errors, this is not acceptable with so much help you can get online. Double and triple check your cover letter. A friend or a family member can also review it - a fresh pair of eyes might spot some error you have missed after working hard on preparing the cover letter.?

Content: As mentioned, cover letters should be tailored to each job opening you are applying for. Don’t simply change the company and position name – this is just not enough. The guidance below should help with the content of the cover letter.

• Have a strong opening that will get the attention of the recruiters. You can start by sharing what makes you a great candidate and why you want the job you are applying for.
• Follow this with a sentence or two about your experience and/or education. Don’t repeat all the details from your CV – elaborate on key experiences and achievement relevant for the position you are applying for.
• Share the details that show how you will help the hiring manager and the team to do the job and achieve the goals. Focus on the description of activities mentioned in the job ad, and share any specific experience or accomplishments you might have that will help you to be successful and overcome any challenges in the new role.
• Show how you will fit the company culture, vision, mission. You can find these details online, so make sure that your and company values are aligned. If this is not the case, you might rethink if you want to go ahead with the application – even if you are hired, this will probably not be the right fit for you.
• Just as you start with a bang, go out with a bang too. Ask for an interview and show interest in the role and the company.

What NOT to do:

• You can pepper the letter with some humorous remarks but bear in mind that this is a professional letter.
• This is already mentioned, but we cannot stress this enough – don’t send a generic cover letter. If you don’t have time to prepare one, concentrate on your CV instead and use other mentioned occasions to share more about yourself.?
• Be as concise as possible – you are not writing an essay and reading your cover letter should not take too much time.
• Although a cover letter is a good chance to show that this is your dream company/job, don’t exaggerate with flattery.

Finally, as mentioned above, if there is an option to do this, you might consider preparing a video that would follow your CV. This might help you stand out in a crowd and send a personalized message to a potential employer. Before you start filming, make sure you are well prepared - even though the video should not last long, it might take a lot of time to do this well. The background of the video should be neutral, there should be no background noise, and the lighting should be good. You should look professionally - do not exaggerate with make-up, or wear something inappropriate. During the video, you should look at the camera and smile. You can follow the advice above when you are preparing the content of the video - it should focus on the same areas, but will allow you to be authentic.?

Let us close with this – even if you submit the best cover letter, if the CV you send is not well written, it will not matter. We would recommend you to focus on CV first and to write a cover letter only if this is required, if you have time to spare, or if you are applying for your dream job (in the latter case try to get as close to perfection as possible!).

We believe that, by following the advice shared above, you can write a cover letter that shows why you should be the first choice for the job you are applying for.

Thank you for reading this article, and feel free to reach out with any questions, comments and suggestions.?

This article has been co-authored with Milena Stanic