Homework Writing
What is a cover letter?
Wondering why you are always getting regret letters and yet you have all it takes to get the jobs being advertised? You are doing something wrong in your application. One of the issues might be the quality of your cover letter. Cover letter are normally attached to the resume or curriculum vitae. If the curriculum vitae does not meet certain requirements, recruiters ignore them. In that regard, one should strive to write a compelling cover letter that sets them apart from the rest. It takes dedication and time to effectively write a good cover letter.
Before writing, it is important to understand the purpose of a cover letter. Curriculum vitae contains information pertaining one’s jobs skillset and experience but for employers to get to understand how well you fit for the job they ask for a cover letter. The letter should very detailed explaining why you are a good fit. Do not replicate what’s on your CV instead describe your attributes using relevant personal job experiences that show the employer that you are a strong fit. In most instances, employers ask for the document but even if it is not a requirement attach it.
Types of Cover Letters
1. Networking Cover Letter
Networking cover letters are written to people either you have already met in a meeting, social media platforms, a conference or any other places. The main purpose of this letter is to expand your network in your job search. Networking letters are not addressed to a company but to an individual who might have connections to place you in a job opportunity.
Example of a networking cover letter
Dear Alfred,
Congratulations on the big milestone you just had in your career and for featuring in Fortune and Entrepreneur. My contracts expires soon and due to a few hitches, I may not renew. In that regard, I am looking for a new opportunity.
With your wide network, I thought you might know a few companies you have interacted with, who are hiring a cyber-security consultant. Would you kindly give me their contact information or introduce me to them.
I look forward to hearing from you and let us link up for coffee soon. Do tell when you are available.
Warm Regards,
Lainey.
2. Prospecting Cover Letter
When you are interested in a company, you might as well let them know. Prospecting cover letters are written to companies who might not have open job listing but one that one has an interest in. This way when job opportunities arise you will be among the first people to know. Also, they will put you in their talent pool and in case an opportunity you might land yourself an interview with them.
Examples of Prospecting Cover Letters
Dear (hiring manager)
Your company has been on the news for the last couple of years for its good reputation in the market. The food industry is at a better place thanks to you. After learning the different methodologies employed in your company, I would love an opportunity to talk with you about a product I have worked that I think will work very well with your company.
3. Application Cover Letter
An application cover letter is written to seek for employment. This letter seeks to give more information about someone’s skills but in a short description. It should thus we written creatively and with keenness on relevant information. At times, the email body can act as the cover letter for resume thus, that should also be as description and straight to the point.
4. Referral Cover Letter
Referral cover letters have a name of the person who introduced to a company or a job opportunity. The name of the person who introduced should be in the first paragraph of the letter to make it easy for the recruiter to see.
Examples of Referral Cover letter>
Dear Hiring manager,
I am writing this letter in regard to a job posting dated 17th June 2020 that was advertised in your website. I have worked with Samael Johns of Seram Holding Limited and he suggested that I contact you.
Above is an example of the introduction part of the letter would look. This way the recruiter will easily notice the name and give your letter attention. Despite this, please proceed and write why you will be the strong fit for the job. Employers are looking to hire people with skills and experience required not people they know.
Basic Cover Letter Structure
First Part- Contact Section
A typical contact section would have the following items
Your Name
Address
City
Phone Number
Email Address
Date
Hiring Manager’s Name (e.g. To The Secretary of the Office of Head of Public Affairs)
Company’s Name
Address City
Salutation
Salutations such as Dear Sir/Madam are outdated. Instead, use “Dear Hiring Manager”. Better yet do a research to find out the name of the hiring manager. There are many ways you can get the name. The first is looking at the job description to see if he or she has been mentioned. Also, you can look at the company’s website to see whether he or she has been listed or you can call the company directly to ask.
Body
The body should have three paragraphs at most. You are not writing an narrative essay you are writing a cover letter. As experts say, the hiring committee takes approximately 10secs to look at a cover letter. Make it interesting and compelling.
First Paragraph- This is the introduction part of the letter where you introduce yourself and state why you are applying for the job opportunity stated. Why did you apply for the job? How does the job align with your career goals? Make this paragraph as relevant to the job description as possible.
Second Paragraph: Here you state your job experiences and how those jobs are relevant to the new role you are applying for. Do not write experiences in bullet form instead give a detailed description of the work.
Closing
The closing paragraph entails you thanking the employer for their consideration. Other people tend to summarize their qualification and explain major gaps of their career if any.
Closing Signature
This is a formal document. So, the closing signature should be formal and friendly. For instance, you can use Respectfully, Sincerely, Regards and Thank you for your consideration followed by your name.
Using cheers and yours truly are outdated and not considered formal.
Cover Letter Do’s and Don’ts
Do's
1. Explain your major skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Resumes or curriculum vitae only mention the most relevant skills. A cover letter is a chance for you to explain the other skills that make you the best candidate.
2. Include keywords used in the job posting. Companies use application softwares to filter out job applicants. Using the keywords used in the job posting will increase the probability of you getting the job.
3. Conduct a thorough research of the company before writing the cover letter. This will give an idea of the company’s culture and what they are looking for in an employee. Know the mission and vision of the company. Luckily all this information is readily available on the internet it should not be hard to get this information. Also, sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook have valuable information, reviews and mentions from other people who have interacted with the company. This information can give you more insight on the kind of company you are applying a job.
4. Edit and proofread the cover letter before sending. You can give a friend or colleague the cover letter for easy identification of mistakes. This is you creating a first impression to your next employer. With multiple grammatical errors and spelling mistakes there is a likelihood of your cover letter being tossed away.
Don'ts
1. Do not repeat what you have written in your CV in the resume.
2. Do not over use keywords. Software that check cover letters can rate the Cover letter poorly. This is unlikely to proceed to the next level, which is a human being going through the cover letter.
3. Do not use any negative language or mention any negative news or information about the company.
4. Do not focus on what the company can do for you. Focus on what you can for the company. Employees are not looking for people to take advantage of their resources. They are looking for candidates who will add value to their company using their skills and attributes.
5. Do not emphasize on your current job or education. While the previous roles have made a huge impact on your career, this is not a space to reiterate them. Instead, explain how those roles fit in perfectly well with job being advertised by explain how strong those skills are an asset to the company.
Elements of an A1 cover letter
1. Spacing- Put whitespaces to make the recruiters reading easier. The paper should be single-spaced and a space between each section.
2. Font- The recommended fonts are Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman and Verdana. Other fonts that are clear and easily visible can also be used.
3. File Format- the best file format to use for your cover letter is PDF. This is because they cannot be edited and the styling of your paper will remain intact. In naming the file use you first name, last name and then end with cover letter to make more accessible for the employer or recruiter.
4. Length- The cover letter should have a maximum of 3-4 paragraphs and at most one page. The aim is to communicate as much information in a few words.
Need help with writing your cover letter?
Reach out to us. We offer cover letter writing services. All you have to do is give a detailed explanation of the job you are applying for your skills and we will help you come up with the best cover letter that will guarantee you an interview. We take this process seriously and in that bid, we right everything from scratch. We know that cover letters have to be customized to fit a job and that is what we do. We assure you that the cover letter will be 100% original and the prices are affordable.