In today’s competitive job environment, a lot of employers ask potential candidates to send cover letters with their job applications. Some of them even clearly mention, “A CV without a cover letter will not be considered.” Have you ever thought why employers ask for a cover letter? Here are four reasons why a cover letter is important: 1. A cover letter shows your confidence in fulfilling the job requirements. 2. A cover letter gives you a chance to get shortlisted by projecting yourself in the best way possible. 3. Employers determine your level of seriousness towards getting the job; a lousily written cover letter shows a lack of interest in getting the job. 4. A professional, detailed and targeted cover letter gives you a competitive edge over other candidates. While 65.3% of professionals in MENA vowed to get a better job in 2013, one of the prerequisites of a good job is a good CV and a good cover letter. Below are four tips that will help you write a great cover letter:
Cover letters are formal ways of portraying yourself to a prospective employer. You must be careful of the language you use in writing one. Bad example: I have heard that you are looking for people in the Human Resource Department. Therefore, I am writing this letter in response to your requirements. Good example: I am a human resource professional with more than six years of experience in this field. I am seeking a management level position to offer proficiencies in personnel management, payroll, administration, and HR training that can greatly contribute to a more productive workforce.
Applying for jobs you really like requires more effort. Do not send the same cover letter to every job you apply for. You can craft four to five different cover letters to match the different types of jobs that you are targeting. Before you start writing a cover letter, read through and understand the job requirements. One of the most important things to look at is the key area of emphasis. Every employer wants a particular skill or experience in almost every job announced. You need to identify that area and customize your cover letter accordingly.
Do not just rewrite your CV in your cover letter. Instead, focus on the target job role and your key achievements in that field. You need to select and elaborate on relevant responsibilities. Select those responsibilities which reflect your strengths and also convince the potential employer of your capability to successfully accomplish the tasks mentioned in the job description.
Your cover letter should end the way it started – in a focused and impactful manner. The closing of the cover letter summarizes your key skills and related job experience. Finally, stress action by politely requesting an interview at the employer’s convenience. Indicate what supplementary material is being sent, and offer to provide additional information (a portfolio, a writing sample, a sample publication, a dossier, an audition tape, etc.). Thank the reader for their consideration and indicate that you are looking forward to hearing from them. Writing a catchy cover letter is an art in itself. In Bayt.com’s “Hiring Management in the MENA” poll (August 2012), employers in the MENA region said that what they look most in senior was leadership and management skills (34%), technical excellence and industry knowledge (13%), and track record of creativity and innovation (4.8%), and what a better way to display all these qualities than in a professional and well-written cover letter? I hope this blog post helped unveil the secrets of a perfect cover letter. Remember, our career consultants are also here to help you with customized CV and cover letter writing services that will make your CV and cover letter truly stand out.
