Guide to writing a cover letter
A guide to the cover letter
If you want to significantly increase your chances of getting hired, you should remember that a good cover letter makes a better impression on the employer than a CV. A cover letter sent to an employer has two main purposes:
- You need to convince your potential employer to call you for an interview;
- It should highlight important details that are not visible in your CV.
When creating a cover letter, you should think about its content and length, as well as its structure and style.
Cover letter style
Use only the Sylfaen font. If you don't have it, try to choose a plain and simple font. The font size should be 12 points. Remember that the entire document should be the same size and font. It is only allowed to use a relatively large font size - 14 pt. - for the title, or it is better to use the B (Bold) function. You can also use this feature on subtitles. Follow the standard Word document areas.
Cover letter structure
You need to create 4 parts of your cover letter, which will be divided into paragraphs. Therefore, before you start writing, divide your attention among them, namely:
Part one – Talk about yourself as directly and simply as possible. Don't start the sentence with "My name is..." Instead, use "I am...". It would be better if you started, for example, with the following words: "I'm already 25 years old and..." or simply say how you found out about the vacancy because in most cases, the employer has already read your CV and "knows you." After you say how you learned about the vacancy, be sure to mention why this vacancy is attractive to you.
Second part - You should mention your skills and experience that are solely related to the position in question. The second part should reinforce the first part of the cover letter, so emphasize how you meet the requirements of the vacancy. You could say that in the first part, you say why the vacancy is attractive to you, while in the second paragraph, you should show why you are a suitable candidate.
Third part - Answer the question: "Why do you want to take this position?" Mention the skills you would gain if employed in this position. Also, don't forget to mention what benefit you will bring to the organization by hiring you for this position.
Second part - In many cases, and unfortunately, the fourth part is underestimated and ignored by job seekers. However, it is the concluding part that creates the final impression on the employer. You should express your willingness to interview to present your capabilities to them in more detail. Also, be sure to express your willingness to provide additional information and thank them for taking the time to review your documentation and cover letter.
Content and size of a cover letter
Talk only about the experience that is relevant to the given vacancy. If you haven't had this kind of experience yet or this is your first job, be bold and say so. Add why you decided to send your CV to this company and give at least one example from the company's activities. For example, you liked an exhibition the company held or a specific product it produces, etc. Your arguments should be realistic, therefore, be well-informed about the company's history and operations.
As for the size of the cover letter, it should be at least half the size of a Word document - 100-150 words and a maximum of 2 pages - 350-400 words.
And last, remember - be honest!