Importance of having a cover letter

Posted by Andrew on May 10, 2019

A cover letter is as important as providing a resume to potential employers. You cannot solely depend on a resume to get you an interview with a prospective employer. A cover letter can strengthen your candidacy and increase your odds of landing an interview. It allows the employer or recruiters to develop a better understanding of you and your suitability for the specific position, it is often where first impressions are made in the mind of an employer. Which then becomes the most critical component of your application.

Your resume, on the other hand, serves as an overview about your employment history, your education, your skill sets as well as other relevant achievements such as certificates etc. In most cases your resume is likely to be the same for each role that you apply.

The cover letter showcases your writing abilities, highlighting your strengths and demonstrates your personality. Allowing you to target the job and the employer in a very specific way, leaving the resume to just market your skills, qualities and experiences for the picture.Each cover letter should be tailored to the specific job advert. You don’t have to start from scratch every time, instead just adjust the content to best reflect what makes you an ideal candidate for the position at hand.

Begin with personal details such as name and contact details. Make sure to briefly introduce yourself in the cover letter and also state your purpose including the reference of a certain job that has been advertised. Highlight your skills and experience that align with the position, how these would offer value to the company. Do not include generic content that is not relevant to the role, do not speak about salary. Express your interest to speak with the employer face to face or over the phone. Finally conclude on a positive note, thanking the employer for their time.

During the hiring processes, recruiters may receive hundreds of resumes to review. It is important that your cover letter reflects your unique capabilities that you possess.