3 minute read
What is a cover letter anyway?
Employers go through hundreds of applications, and very quickly! But one of the first things they look at is your cover letter, so make sure you create a great first impression.
Back in the '80s, applications had to be printed out and delivered to the employer. Instead of just giving a CV, it made sense to add a cover to it… And on the cover, applicants included a letter. This was the one chance to get an application noticed.
Advertisement
Now, not everyone even asks for one, but it still is expected by most companies. It gives the employer a concise introduction into your world without having to page through your application. In short, it tells them who you are and why that should matter to them.
Why does it matter?
A CV can only tell a recruiter what you did, not how you did it. Whilst the CV is the outlines, you use the cover letter to provide colour to the picture. A cover letter gives you the space to introduce yourself as more than just a list of qualifications and positions. It gives you the opportunity to explain what makes you uniquely qualified for the position.
EMPLOYER INPUT: Geraldine Kwenda, SouthSouthNorth
"I read a lot of cover letters and what I have found from the ones that stand out is that they highlight: how the individual’s achievements relate to the role; how their skills and work experience contribute to what we need; originality; knowledge of and enthusiasm for our organisation; and lastly, a personalised cover letter."
EMPLOYER INPUT: Charles Musto, SOLIDitech
“Your cover letter gives us an indication of how well you communicate (so check your spelling and grammar), what you think your strengths are (be honest) and what your ambitions are (are you ambitious and goal driven).”
Keep it short & sweet
Resist the urge to tell your life story; this is not the place. Keep the details you share relevant and to the point, and zoom in on highlights. Think of an elevator pitch – if you only had 60 seconds to tell a stranger why they should hire you, what would you say? Certainly not that you were born in a small town and that you like eating ice cream. You would say what you are good at, what makes you different, and how you can add value to the company. You might give an interesting example of a time you took part in an impressive project, or of that time that you had to be resilient enough to change the way you study (remote studying during a pandemic has its perks after all!).
EMPLOYER INPUT: Priya Naidoo, EY
"Applicants should convey their interests, outside of academics, to demonstrate that he/she is a well-rounded individual who is able to excel in multiple facets of his/her life."
Show that you did your research
Right off the bat, it should be clear that you are in the know. Is the company advertising a new product? Is it something you'd be interested in? Tell them about it.
EMPLOYER INPUT
"I understand you are adding a new product to your portfolio, and I can't wait to see how it will work!". Employers want to know that you care about the company, and it is always better to show than to tell how much you care.
