When looking to stand out in a cut-throat job spot contested by a pool of experienced candidates, the first impression is King when looking to stand out. A cover letter or application letter is a formal document that gives you the chance to introduce yourself to your would-be employers.
In essence, it’s the virtual version of the first handshake you give to a recruitment manager. Therefore, your letter of application must sound profound and shine an irresistible first impression on the reader.
According to a recent survey by Resume Genius, 83% of hiring managers say a strong cover letter can help an otherwise weak candidate land an interview, while 51% say a poorly written cover letter can ruin a strong candidate’s chances. Because a cover letter can make or break your chance to proceed to the interview stage, it’s crucial to spend quality time crafting one before sharing it with the decision-makers.
True, you may be good at whatever post you’re eyeing, but do you have what it takes to craft a convincing letter?
If not, consider hiring an expert writer from Bunny Studios to help you create a professional one.
This post has been updated in September 2021.
Cover Letter: What is it?
An application letter or cover letter is a job request document you send along with a Resume to discuss your experience and skillsets in detail.
Its primary purpose is to help you (the job applicant) introduce yourself to employers and state (in detail) why you are the right expert for the vacancy. It also allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the job spot and express your interest in that particular opportunity.
While you may want to give it your best shot and be as detailed as possible, this document shouldn’t exceed a single page. Remember, a lengthy application letter can bore the reader and deny you a chance to attend the interview.
The Three Common Types of a Cover Letter
While all letters of application serve the primary goal of highlighting your strong points, a few variations exist, as we shall see below:
· Application Letter: Written in response to a job posting
This type is the regular letter you send alongside your Curriculum Vitae or Resume. Its goal is to apply for a specific job and is often customized to fit the experience and qualifications in the job description
A letter of application helps you market yourself as a candidate by supplementing your CV and expounding on your job background and qualifications.
· Asking/Prospective Letter: Written to ask about job vacancies
A prospective letter plays a similar role to the letter of application. Nevertheless, this isn’t in response to a job posting; you write it to a brand of interest asking for any job vacancies.
· Networking Letter: Written to ask previous contacts about new jobs
This is perhaps the shortest and sketchiest letter of the three.
When in need of a job, you can address a networking letter to ex-colleagues, pals, mentors, and other buddies. This document’s primary purpose is to inform them of your new skill sets and seek help with your ongoing search for opportunities.
The Importance of a Cover Letter
“I already have a killer resume; do I really need a letter of application?”
Of course, you do! Even when a recruiter doesn’t request you to attach one: this document can increase your odds significantly. But then again, maybe you don’t! (as we shall see in point 1 below)
So how does this letter benefit your portfolio?
i. It reinforces your application
Some hiring managers won’t go through your application letter, but those who read it consider it crucial to the recruitment process.
Because you don’t know who’ll go through your job request, crafting a letter is vital in protecting your bottom line. After all, digital recruiters consider it the handshake as most jobs happen remotely these days.
It can also be the distinguishing factor when someone else’s resume matches up to yours.
ii. It flaunts your value
An application letter pushes you to talk extensively about your specific abilities and competencies. It enables applicants to choose several skills pertinent to those listed in the job posting and talk about these like a pro. This way, the HR manager can quickly see how well you fit the post.
Utilize a cover letter to highlight stuff that your CV can’t—mention why you quit your previous job and why you’re searching for a new job now. Guide your reader through the stuff that you feel may need extra attention.
When crafting a cover letter, avoid thick paragraphs, and if you can, proofread your cover letter. Make your work reader-friendly with bullet points.
Remember, recruiters who go through application letters want to collect as much detail from them.
iii. Shows your Passion
A curriculum vitae is a fact sheet; it sounds overly formal. Nevertheless, a cover letter allows you to talk directly to the HR manager.
Talk about the things you understand about the company or the sector. You can also express why you’d like to be part of the brand. Don’t forget to mention how you’d benefit the team.
Also, show your passion for the brand by researching it and mentioning their most recent achievements in your letter, for example, a product launch or an award.
iv. Stress the points in your resume
According to stats by the Society of Human Resources Management shows, a recruiter can decide whether one qualifies for the next stage in 5 minutes or not. With such a limited time window, it would be best to make the most out of it.
A cover letter allows you to do things that your curriculum vitae doesn’t, like:
- Telling the brand who you are
- Showing your passion for the firm
- Expounding how your competencies and experience match the job posting
- Pushing the recruiter to want to know you
Lastly, it opens doors for possible contact in the future, even if they don’t pick you for this spot.
What are the Parts of a Cover Letter?
Though application letters vary in terms of the elements or contents, a few critical factors must appear in all of them.
Below are the seven most crucial parts to include in your letter:
- Header
- Salutation
- Intro
- Skills & Qualifications
- Values & Goals
- Call-to-action
- Signature
Including these crucial elements helps you present your strong points step by step without leaving out the most relevant areas. However, If you find this process hectic, hire a resume creator and cover letter writer from Bunny Studios.
Let’s learn more about these parts in detail, shall we?
1. The Header
The header carries all your contact data. You can use the one you used for your CV on the application letter to ensure harmony throughout the application process.
No matter the format you take, a headline should begin with the name. It should also include your:
- Telephone
- Address
Remember, each detail should appear on its line.
You can also add a link to your LinkedIn or social media pages (if it adds weight to your application).
Lastly, if you’re sending a physical letter, it’s crucial to include the name and contact data of the HR manager.
2. Salutation
While most people don’t consider this part important, a document without a salutation is like a letter addressed to nobody.
To nail this, you must investigate the HR manager’s name to prove that you did some homework before applying for the job. This part should as precise as possible.
If you don’t see the details on the job board, look for it on the brand’s website or call the company’s contact number.
However, if your search hit’s rock bottom, address it to a relevant job title, e.g., “Dear Recruitment Manager.”.
Feel free to add tags that recognize your recruiter’s achievements.
3. Introduction
Your letter’s introduction should include:
- Details about you
- Why you’re the best fit
- Where you heard of the job posting
- Why you’re applying
Be sure to re-read the job posting before writing this section.
4. Skills & Qualifications
Capture the recruiter’s attention by mentioning how you plan to benefit the brand. Remember to include the following:
- More details about the contents of your resume
- Talk extensively about how your skillsets and experience relate to the job
- Discuss pertinent projects
You can also mention situations that demonstrate your problem-solving capabilities.
5. Values & Goals
In this section, you should show that you’re conversant with the brand’s mission and have researched about the post:
- Discuss how your goals are relevant to theirs
- Mention some things you like about the brand’s culture
This section shows that besides experience, you have what it takes to fit into the team.
6. Call-to-action
The Call to Action should appear in the last paragraph.
It should recap the reasons you chose to apply.
Remember also to thank the recruiter in this section.
7. Signature
After all the six sections, it’s time to finish your cover letter with a direct signature. Use terms like sincerely, with thanks, thank you, etc., to show respect.
Cover Letter Writing Services
So what if you have a rough idea of what to put in every section but don’t know the right words to use? What if the whole process sounds technical?
Well, you don’t have to struggle with this alone.
You can always outsource this task to a qualified cover letter writer from freelance platforms like Bunny Studio. The best letter writing services work to customize the document to fit your needs by selling your application point-set to recruiters.
Concluding on Cover Letters
As hinted throughout the post, the quality of your application letter can make on break the job search experience.
While some managers hardly ever go through it, it can act as the distinguishing feature when other applicants’ CVs match yours.
To develop a crisp cover letter, share the project details with an experienced third party and have everything ironed to perfection.
Are you eyeing a job spot that you’re convinced belongs to you?
Let us help improve the quality of your application.