What is cover letter?
Cover letter is an additional document that you can attach to your CV in your job application.
The purpose of this letter is to show why you are the right candidate. Nowadays, the selection of a suitable candidate depends on a cover letter. Don’t forget that it will be read by your future direct superior.
Basic rules of writing
Cover letter has a specific form. It is addressed to the contact person or directly to the employer. It is usually one page (A4 format) long.
Do not write the text as one long block. A cover letter is not a novel. Therefore, divide it into shorter and easy-to-read paragraphs.
Please check the text carefully before sending. Ideally, have another person read it. They may notice what you missed. The most common mistakes are:
- Typing errors – omitted letters, missing diacritics (long and soft vowels and consonants).
- Grammar mistakes – misplaced i-y in words, wrong word order, incorrect inflection and tenses.
- Phrases – incorrectly worded phrases or, in case of a text in a foreign language, an incorrect literal translation from your mother tongue.
Adapt the content to the job offer
Your professional and personal qualities should be clearly described in the text.
Customize a cover letter to each offer to meet the employer’s requirements and make yourself one of the favourites. If you are applying for multiple job, make sure that each cover letter is tailored to the specific offer. Never send the same cover letter to all employers.
Describe only what the employer may be really interested in regarding the job offered.
For example, if you are applying for a receptionist job, your future employer may be more interested in your experience in similar work positions than in growing plants or construction works.
You can also show that you are familiar with the company. Apply your knowledge directly to the position and thus increase your chances. Be self-confident and don’t be afraid to sell yourself.
Text structure
When writing a cover letter, it may help you if you make an outline in advance. Each cover letter should contain the following parts:
- Header – Provide your contact details here (name, surname, address, phone number, email).
- Addressing the recipient – If the name of the contact person is specified in the ad, you can address your cover letter directly to him/her, otherwise address the recipient as “Dear Sir or Madam”.
- Reasons why you want to work for the company – Express your motivation to work for the specific employer. It may be useful to study the information on the company’s website or follow their social networks.
- Prior work achievements – Do not be afraid to praise yourself and summarize your career achievements that are relevant to the job offered.
- Skills and abilities – These will make you a more attractive candidate for the job offered.
- Thank you
- Place, date and your signature
Cover letter templates
If you are not sure how to write a cover letter, you can find templates online that you can download and adapt to your needs. For example here:
