Understanding why you’re writing your cover letter is a great place to start.
A cover letter complements your CV and provides a more personal introduction without duplicating information. Think of it as a way to market yourself to the employer above and beyond your qualifications.
Cover letters generally include relevant information such as work experiences, achievements, and personal motivations for the role. However, it’s not a CV!
So where do you start? Well, that’s where we come in. By the end of this post, you’ll be ready to write that standout cover letter.
1. Capturing attention
Have you ever opened up a book with great intentions, but the first few sentences trigger you to close it, put it down, and never think about it again? Yeah… that doesn’t just happen with books.
You don’t have to have a degree in creative writing to grab attention in your cover letter, the secret is standing out from the crowd.
A lot of cover letters will start with, “Hi my name is […] I am based in […] and I am applying for the role of […]. Followed by a list of qualifications.
While this isn’t bad as such, it’s generic and doesn’t communicate anything beyond the obvious.
Try something like this instead: “When this role came up, I knew I had to immediately jump on my application. I’m thrilled to share how my skills and experience align with the role.”
This is different, shows your enthusiasm and grabs the reader’s attention.
Isabella in our Auckland office agrees:
“Cover letters definitely shouldn’t be generic or be a summary of your CV, this is an opportunity to show who you are and let your personality shine through.”
2. Tailor, tailor, tailor
One of the most important elements of writing an effective cover letter is tailoring it to the role you are applying for.
Start by researching the company, their values, and mission statement. Get a feel for who the company is, what they care about, and their corporate culture – this can help you to write a cover letter that connects and stands out. When reading the job description, consider how your own experiences and achievements relate to what they are seeking and what they value as a company, and demonstrate this in your cover letter.
It’s also a great idea, if possible, to address your cover letter to the hiring manager. If this information isn’t available in the advertisement, browse the company’s team page or contact info.
Our experienced Wellington recruiter Chris agrees,
“Show interest in the work that the company does, how your values align with theirs, and incorporating this into your cover letter.”
3. Tell a compelling story
Your cover letter isn’t just about the company you’re applying for. It’s also about YOU, and it gives you a great opportunity to give the company a taste of your personality and enthusiasm for the industry.
Why do you do what you do? And why might this be valuable to your next employer? The culture of a workplace can make or break a job, so incorporating the answers to these questions in your cover letter shows how you’ll fit in.
Our Auckland recruiter Cornelia puts its perfectly:
“Use the cover letter to tell a concise story about why you’re interested in the position and how your background makes you uniquely qualified. Express genuine enthusiasm. Showcase your passion for the industry and your motivation for wanting to work there.”
4. Specific and to the point
Although you might have a lot more you want to say, keeping your cover letter short is best practice.
Writing concisely can be challenging, but it’s crucial if you want to hold the reader’s attention. Stick to the most relevant information. As with tailoring, analyse the job description to determine what information is most relevant to mention in the cover letter.
For example, if the role description doesn’t mention using Java, you needn’t mention your Java experience.
Our Auckland recruiter Tom puts it short and sharp:
“Keep it short – three succinct paragraphs max – don’t waffle. Make it specific to the company and role requirements and link as appropriate.”
5. Check, and then check again!
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when applying for a role is having errors in the grammar or spelling in your application.
A lot of the time you may spend so much time writing the letter, that when you’re done, you just want to hit send. However, the best way to prove your attention to detail is by taking care and checking again. So don’t skimp on proofreading your cover letter.
Read through your cover letter and pay close attention to any spelling mistakes, fragmented sentences or grammatical errors.
Our Wellington recruiter Chloe says,
“Having an error free application shows competence and attention to detail. When we receive an application with grammar and spelling mistakes, it really stands out – and not in a good way.”
