A common question often asked by candidates when they are searching for a job is, “Do we need to submit a cover letter?”
And believe us, this is a good question that often creates confusion. There are mixed answers to these questions. Some recruiters say that cover letters are not as important as the resumes. While some say that they skip cover letters and do not even bother to read them. There is no wonder if this is creating confusion about whether you need to invest your time in writing it.
This blog will take you deep and teach you when you need a cover letter and the situations in which to avoid it.
Situations in which a cover letter is a must
Writing cover letters is a time-consuming process and it requires a lot of effort. As it is the cover of your resume, you need to make sure that it is flawless and professional so you can let the recruiter dive in. In some situations, you need to submit a cover letter. For this, you can ask for help from a service like cheap cover letters or others. Their experts will help in designing one.
- Major of the job openings have a requirement to submit a cover letter. Such recruiters will have time to go through all the letters. However, they will read those letters thoroughly if they are on the fence for a candidate. If you fail to submit a letter, this will result in a red flag.
- A cover will create an impression that you have put in the extra effort. Even if your recruiter doesn’t read it, they will know that you have worked hard to grab the job. Moreover, your dedication will show that you have taken some necessary steps and they are worth it.
- Do you know that this letter will set you apart from other applicants? Imagine, the hiring team is looking for a position with just one vacancy. You and your friend had applied for it at the same time. But your resume had an A+ cover letter. Then who will secure that position? That is our exact point.
- When you have extra information to add or a career gap, write a cover letter to show the reasons behind this. There are times when you have a lot to add but you cannot cover it in the resume.
- If you are referred by someone to the company, you need to acknowledge that reference. A personal referral was a bonus point for your application and you should not miss this chance to mention it.
- If you have secured a dream job, express your feelings in the cover letter. Narrate what this job means to you in a professional way and the way it will help you thrive. Remember! Passion goes a long way!
When cover letter is not important?
Some of the cases in which a letter is not necessary.
Not a requirement of job application
Yes! With the emergence of sites for online job searches, there are some firms whose job descriptions have clearly instructed not to submit a cover letter. Needless, if you try submitting one regardless of clear instructions, you will portray of being oversmart. The recruiter will sketch your image as one who does not take instructions seriously.
Running short of time to customize a cover letter
There is something worse than submitting a cover letter is submitting a bad cover letter. What is a bad cover letter? An uncustomized letter, or a piece of document one-fit for all kinds of applications is considered a bad cover letter.
So, when you are applying for multiple jobs at one time and running out of time to customize it according to the description or ask for help from a service like resume writer NJ or Canada. It is much better that you don’t attach it to the resume instead of submitting a letter with mistakes.
No space to upload a cover letter
When you are applying for jobs online using various platforms, there is a specific place dedicated to pasting your letter. If the platform or app you are using for job hunting has no place for the cover letter attachment, take this as an instruction that it is not required.
How to write an outstanding cover letter?
Some of the tips for writing a nailing cover letter are:
Keeping it short
When it comes to writing a cover letter, one page is enough. The length of a cover letter should not exceed the standard word count.
Follow the submission instructions
Read through the job description thoroughly. Check for the specific cover letter format, fonts, and other requirements. Highlight the details that need to be part of the content. This will help you in outlining the cover letter and you can follow it by adding details.
Proofread your cover letter
When you have completed your writing process, make sure you finalize it. Check for grammar or spelling mistakes. You can make use of spell-checking software to make your process easy and less time-consuming.
Avoid the use of clichés
Stop describing yourself. Don’t narrate that you are a great team member or effective communicator. These will not help you in any way. Instead, add your skills and experience to let the recruiter know who you are.
Use the same formatting both in the resume and cover letter
Choose a professional font, margin, color, and style. Use them in both the CV and the cover letter. This way you will highlight your personality and create a lasting impression on the hiring team.
Add action words
If you want to make your achievements stand out, make use of action words. So instead of repeatedly using ‘I was responsible’ or ‘I was in charge’, replace them with the action verbs like ‘managed’ or ‘coordinated’.
Design a winning cover letter
A well-crafted cover letter will expand upon your resume rather than repeating the information. It highlights your knowledge about the company, your interest in the job, and your communication skills. It also sets a tone for the hiring process. If the cover letter is narrowed down, it should not exceed more than one page or the standard word count. Remember to proofread it and correct all the mistakes before you submit it.