While the CV attracts the recruiter’s attention, there is absolutely no question of overlooking the cover letter.
When the selection of CVs is too large, the recruiter looks into your cover letter, expecting to find elements which do not appear in your CV. Make your cover letter stand out by basing it around three paragraphs, while making the recruiter’s job easier:
- Exhibit Interest in the Company and the Role: This is the part you need to fine tune the most. Your goal is to satisfy the recruiter’s requirements. In the case of an unsolicited application, indicate the types of positions you may be interested in.
- Emphasize Various Aspects of Your Experience: The idea is to supplement your CV by illustrating it with specific items and results. This part rarely varies from one letter to the next; if you are a sales representative, for example, your arguments will generally remain the same from one post to another.
- Conclude in a Direct Manner: Make it obvious that you are sure you will be selected.
There is no longer any place for handwritten letters on the internet. Send an e-mail or a typewritten letter
Most candidates make the following mistakes while writing a cover letter. Here are the errors to avoid while writing your cover letter:
- Overlooking the Cover Letter: This omission could be viewed negatively by some recruiters.
- Writing a Few Lines but Adding Nothing: For example – “I am a Systems and Network Engineer and I am looking for a job. Please find attached to this letter my CV, and please contact me if you would like me to attend an interview. Kind regards.”
- Writing a Novel: This can result in your application not being read and leaving the impression that you lack the ability to synthesize information.
- Sending a Standard Letter: Personalize your letter in response to the advertisement. Often one line is enough to transform a standard model into a personalized letter.
- Sending the Letter as an Attachment to an E-mail: The letter must appear in the main body of the email (even if you attach it), for the good reason that this makes the recruiter’s job easier.
Please note: in order to apply via Careers, you must not send an e-mail but use the application form. - Putting Your Letter and Your CV in the Same Document: Even though this forces the recruiter to have a quick look at it, it makes their job harder, both initially and later when they file and/or send your CV.
- Not Filling in the Subject of the E-mail: It will, without fail, head into the spam folder. Additionally, this oversight makes it harder to identify the position you are applying to. If the position title does not appear automatically, do a copy/past of the job title.
- No Signature: After a polite ending, write your first name, surname and telephone number.
- Telegram Style: You are not writing an e-mail to a friend, but a letter to a possible employer.