Questions about cover letters

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Sending a cover letter is such a big plus when applying for a job. It sets up your resume and introduces you to the employer, it tells the employer what job you're applying for, shows your understanding of the position, and demonstrates why you're a good fit based on the criteria of the job. A well written cover letter will make the reader want to read your resume and bring you in for an interview to learn more about you.

When it comes to applying for a job unless you're specifically asked not to send a cover letter. There aren't too many reasons why you wouldn't want to send one. Let's go over some questions people have about cover letters.

Do I really need to write a cover letter?

Unlike a resume a cover letter isn't absolutely necessary. So you have to decide. Do you want to be the type of person who only does the bare minimum, or the type of person who does everything they can to stand out? Think of it another way. You're giving all the other people who do send a cover letter an advantage by not sending one yourself. Which I'm sure they'd thank you for making it easier for them.

Do employers actually read cover letters?

Anecdotal evidence suggests it's around 50%. But even if only half of employers are reading cover letters, that's still a high amount of employers that find them valuable. Do you want to gamble on the chance that the employer won't be interested in a cover letter just so you can save some time?

What do I include in a cover letter?

All your cover letters will have a similar structure. At the top of the page you should have your name and contact information, the date, the name of the hiring manager, and the job title and number from the job ad. This will make it easy for the reader to quickly identify you and the job you're applying for.

A cover letter shouldn't be any longer than a page so it's important to be concise. Your opening paragraph should start by introducing yourself to the employer and stating what you're trying to achieve. Once you've made an introduction get to the heart of the matter by telling the employer about your qualifications, skills, and experience and how they will meet the needs of the employer. To finish demonstrate your strong interest in the job and don't be afraid of straight up asking for an interview. Both you and the employer know where your application is leading, so why beat around the bush.

With a basic structure outlined remember to tailor each cover letter to the job. Every job has different responsibilities and different criteria that have to be met. By writing a generic cover letter that you send to every job, it won't end up mentioning what really matters. You can't market yourself and match your skills to a company's needs if you don't tailor your cover letter to what the employer is looking for.

Final Thought

At the end of the day the cover letter you write may never get read. Making the time spent preparing one feel like a waste of time. But it also may be the thing that grabs the employer's attention and prompts them to call you in for an interview. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. So my recommendation is to send a cover letter unless you're specifically asked not to.

If you have comments regarding cover letters or you want to provide feedback in general leave me a comment below. For more information, videos, and articles on all things employment, check out our website letsgetworking.com.au

Until next time, have a good day.

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