If you’ve ever applied for a job after seeing an ad, you’re likely no stranger to a cover letter. Next to a cv or resume, the most commonly required document during job applications is a cover letter. And if you’re wondering, what is a cover letter? And how can you make a good one to increase your chances of landing that job? Here is a guide for that!
What Is A Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a one-page document you submit to an employer to complement your resume or CV. It should clearly state the position you’re applying for and explain why you should be considered for the position. The goal is to help the employer get a better understanding of your skills and experiences, to give them a better grasp of your fit for the role.
When Should You Submit A Cover Letter?
Now that you know the answer to “What is a cover letter?”, you should learn about the three instances where you should submit a cover letter for a job application – you’re required to do so, you need to elaborate on your skills and experiences, or you’re referred to the position.
When you’re explicitly asked for a cover letter, of course you should submit one. Not doing so may mean being disqualified from the hiring process, so compliance is key.
Meanwhile, if your skills and experiences have gaps or potential red flags, then a cover letter is needed to explain why they’re there to help ease the employer’s worries.
And lastly, if someone has referred you for the position, they’re likely people the employer knows or trusts, hence informing the hiring manager about their referral through a cover letter will help validate your qualification for the role you’re applying for.
Do You Need A Cover Letter?
While not all employers require a cover letter in their job ads, a cover letter is a great thing to have because first, 77% of employers give more importance to those that do, and second, it allows you to transcend the details in your resume.
Because candidate screening always boils down to employers assessing candidates through details in the resume, there are times when you will not stand out because of certain reasons, which, if not explained, will get you easily dismissed by a potential employer.
This is particularly important when applying for positions where you don’t have the required experiences, you have a gap in your resume, or you’re not the ideal profile they seem to be looking for.
While to some employers, this may seem to be a deal breaker, it need not be. A cover letter is your chance to show that, so having a great cover letter is very much to your advantage!
How To Make A Good Cover Letter
Knowing what is a good cover letter is the first step to writing a good one. In this guide, we’ll provide all the details you need to know to help you write a cover letter that will get your profile noticed by potential employers!
Structure & Length
A cover letter shouldn’t replace your resume. This means that whatever is on your resume shouldn’t be reiterated in your cover letter; rather, it should compliment it. As such, cover letters should be short and sweet.
And by that, we mean it should be professional. This means not exceeding one page, using a professional font like Arial, Open Sans, Times New Roman or the like, and in standard font sizes of 10 to 12.
Like a formal letter, a cover letter format should properly address the reader. For example, something specific, like “Dear Ms. De Guzman” or “Dear Mr. Gomez,” or something general, like “Dear Hiring Manager” is a good start. And when ending your letter, you should include your full name and contact.
And like most letters, the cover letter should have a clear structure, with the recommended being three paragraphs, the details of each are explained in the following sections.
Introduction
The goal of cover letters is to catch the eye of the employer. A good introduction always helps! You can do this even before you send out the cover letter, by chatting with employers through chat-first platforms like Bossjob.
Then, when you write the cover letter, the introductory paragraph should talk about who you are, what position you are applying for, in what organization, and how you came to know about the job opening. The goal of this paragraph is to give context to the employer about your application – did you find their job ad on a job platform or were you referred by an employee? This information is important because it shows the employer that you’re intentional in sending your application.
Summary of Skills & Experiences
In the second paragraph of your cover letter, you should talk about your skills and experiences, highlighting your fit for the role you’re applying for. In this section, talk about hard skills and facts. And it’s also a great place to explain any potential red flags an employer may find with your profile. Do you lack a certain skill or experience? Why should you still be considered for the position?
Value Added Skills & Experiences
When it comes to applying for a role, it’s not just hard skills that employers look for. Cultural fit and attitude are also determinants of a job fit, and many employers are willing to overlook some lack in skills and experiences in place of really good soft skills. That’s why you want to end your cover letter by persuading the employer of your eligibility. What makes you think you’re a great fit? How will you excel in the role? Why should they choose you over other candidates?
Contact Information & Closing
Last but not least, you want the employer to have a way of reaching you should your cover letter do its job of piquing their interest. Mention the best way to contact you, including your contact details, the best time to reach you, and add that you’re awaiting their response. Don’t forget to also thank the person reading your letter for taking the time to consider your application as this shows basic courtesy.
Finding jobs that fit your credentials goes beyond knowing what is a cover letter, it’s about impressing employers, not only through documents but also through communication! At Bossjob, we help applicants speed up the application process with AI generated resume builders and guides for cover letter writing to help you apply for jobs and get noticed by potential employers.
Get noticed by potential employers. Visit Bossjob to learn more!
