How Important Is a Cover Letter in Your Job Search

A cover letter can make or break your job application. According to research, 58% of hiring managers consider a cover letter to be an important factor in their decision-making process.

It's not just about throwing some words together, though. A well-written cover letter can showcase your skills, personality, and passion for the job. In fact, 75% of hiring managers believe that a cover letter reveals a candidate's tone and attitude.

The key is to make it personal and tailored to the job. Don't just send a generic letter to every application. Tailor it to the specific job description and requirements, and highlight how your skills and experience match up.

A cover letter's purpose is to complement your resume by showing how your experience and interest connect to the position. Your goal is to convince the employer to interview you.

To achieve this, you'll want to highlight your qualifications, showcase your motivation, and reflect your voice and written communication skills. A cover letter should be no longer than one page with a font size between 10-12 points.

Here are the key elements to include in your cover letter:

The purpose of a cover letter is to complement your resume by making it easy for the employer to see how your experience and interest connect to the position.

Your goal with a cover letter is to convince the employer to interview you, and you'll aim to do this by highlighting your qualifications, showcasing your motivation, and reflecting your voice and written communication skills.

To achieve this, you'll want to focus on how your skills and experience relate to the employer's needs for a specific position, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position and the organization.

A cover letter is not just a formality, as 77% of hiring decision-makers said they would read it even if it wasn’t required, and 74% of recruiters claim they read it when it is required.

Here are the main goals of a cover letter:

A cover letter is a formal document that accompanies your resume or CV when applying for a job, typically sent to the hiring manager or recruiter.

Its primary purpose is to introduce yourself, highlight your relevant skills and experience, and express your interest in the position.

A cover letter should be tailored to the specific job you're applying for, and it's usually one to two pages in length.

It should include a formal greeting and closing, and be written in a professional tone.

A good cover letter should take the reader through a logical flow of information, starting with an introduction, followed by a body, and ending with a call to action.

A cover letter should be no longer than one page with a font size between 10-12 points. This is a good rule of thumb to keep your letter concise and easy to read.

The structure of a cover letter is also important. It typically starts with a formal greeting, addressing the hiring manager by name if possible. If you're not sure who to address the letter to, "Dear Hiring Manager" is a safe bet.

A cover letter should include your contact information, and if the role you're applying for has a reference number or code, be sure to include it in your letter. This helps human resources track your application.

Here's a breakdown of the typical structure of a cover letter:

For example, a cover letter might start with a sentence like, "I am a second year master’s student in MIT’s Technology and Policy Program (TPP) writing to apply for a consulting position in Navigant’s Emerging Technology & Business Strategy group." This sets the stage for the rest of the letter.

Writing a cover letter is a crucial step in the job application process. You should tailor your cover letter to the organisation, rewriting it every time you apply for a position to target the company.

The format of your cover letter is also important. Presentation matters, so make sure the document is uncluttered, use the same font and size as your CV, and print it on good quality plain white paper if submitting it through the post or handing it in.

To make a lasting impression, use keywords from the job advert, identify your unique selling points, and include examples that demonstrate your skills and experience. You can also save a copy of your cover letter for future reference.

Here are some key tips to keep in mind:

Remember, a well-written cover letter can make all the difference in getting noticed by the employer. So take the time to craft a high-quality cover letter that showcases your qualifications and motivation for the position.

Writing a cover letter can seem daunting, but with some guidance, you can create a compelling one.

Not all jobs require cover letters, so it's essential to decide whether to submit one. The posting explicitly requests that you do so, you're applying to a mission-driven organization, or you think a cover letter could provide important information to the employer.

Your cover letter should articulate your qualifications and motivation for the position. Read the job description closely and research the organization to make a strong impression.

To make a lasting impression, tailor your cover letter to the organization. Rewrite it every time you apply for a position to target the company. Sending a generic letter for all applications rarely yields positive results.

The format of your cover letter is also crucial. Presentation is important, so make sure the document is as uncluttered as possible. Use the same font and size as your CV and print it on good quality plain white paper.

To identify your unique selling points (USPs), be positive about what you have to offer and clearly outline how your skills and experience meet those requested in the job description. Demonstrate why you're the perfect candidate.

Here are some top tips for writing a cover letter:

Creating a draft cover letter in advance can save you time in your actual application process. If you're applying to several similar opportunities, consider creating a template for that type of opportunity.

Typos and grammatical errors can make a terrible first impression and instantly disqualify your cover letter from consideration.

A single mistake can take just a few seconds to make, but it can take hours to correct.

Using a generic template can make your cover letter sound like every other application, rather than showcasing your unique qualifications and experience.

A strong cover letter should be tailored to the specific job and company, highlighting your relevant skills and achievements.

Many people underestimate the importance of proofreading, but it's a crucial step in ensuring your cover letter is error-free and polished.

A well-written cover letter can make all the difference in getting your foot in the door, but a poorly written one can be a major turnoff.

Editing is a crucial step in creating a great cover letter. Use our Cover Letter Checklist to make sure your format and content is in line with best practices.

Keep your cover letter concise, at one page or less, to keep the reader's attention.

Correct any errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling to make a good impression.

Using the active voice makes your writing more engaging and easier to read.

Avoid beginning too many sentences with "I" to create a more dynamic tone.

To help you remember these tips, here's a quick checklist:

If you're applying for a job online, you'll likely need to decide how to submit your cover letter. Most automated systems will simply ask you to upload it or type it up in a field.

49% of recruiters prefer to receive the cover letter in the email body, while 42% prefer it attached as a separate document.

Pay attention to the job ad, as it may specify a preference for the cover letter format. If not, don't stress about it – it won't make or break your chances.

In most cases, you'll have a choice between writing the cover letter in the email body or attaching it as a separate document.

Signing off your cover letter is as simple as remembering the two main options. If you've included a named contact, sign off with 'Yours sincerely'.

To determine which one to use, think about how you addressed the letter. If you used a general greeting, finish with 'Yours faithfully'.