It has become a norm that job adverts will require you to submit a cover letter in addition to the generic CV. This is an opportunity for you to position yourself as the ideal candidate and significantly contributes to whether or not you are called in for an interview. The cover letter is a sales pitch – brief and concise with the aim of attracting the employer at first read. You cannot afford to make grammatical or spelling errors and please don’t write an essay – remember the recruiter probably has a hundred or more applications to consider. This rough draft could help you structure your next cover letter (and do tailor it to the job description and your style of writing – don’t just copy-paste):
Dear <Name>,
I am writing in regard to your job opening of <Target Role>.
As a candidate with extensive experience in <job title>, I am highly skilled in <Hard Skills to Job Description>. My solid background in <People Skills> has allowed me to manage teams with exceptional performance.
The opportunity to join <Organization> greatly interests me because <Reasons>. As a holder of <Degrees, Certs>I can competently execute <JD Responsibilities>. I believe that I would make a valuable asset to your team and I offer my resume for your review.
As per my professional summary, my qualities and experience make me highly suitable for the role of <Target Role>. I am highly regarded for <Transferable Skills>. I am proficient in <Systems>. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated the highest levels of service and commitment to the mission of any organization I have worked for. <List 3-4 achievements relevant to the JD>.
Thus, if you are looking for an organized <“What” + “Who”> you are welcome to contact me to arrange an interview. I am eager to learn more about how your organization can benefit from my contribution.
I thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
<Your Name>
All the best!
This post was originally shared by Career Consultant Kirsty Bonner