The purpose of this article is to offer you some cover letter tips, Why? Because your cover letter is as important as your CV in determining whether you will persuade a potential employer to give you an interview.
You may have gone to a lot of trouble to ensure you have created an excellent CV.
You have done all the right things to make sure your CV is sleek and professional, printed on the best quality paper but you're not finished yet.
Many excellent CVs are thrown into the bin without being read because they are accompanied by a poor resume letter.
Don't underestimate the importance of a good letter.
Look as your CV and letter as being part of the same thing.
One can't exist without the other.
First impressions count.
We've all heard the saying that you shouldn't judge by appearances, maybe not in an ideal world, but in the world we're in we do judge by appearances, it's a fact and we have to work with that knowledge in mind.
Your letter will determine whether the person reading it will look at your CV.
You have about 20 seconds to convince them that you are worth looking into.
Twenty seconds, that's all.
Remember the person who is sifting through letters and CVs may have a desk strewn with them and little time.
So how can you make your cover letter stand out? Keep It Short Keep your letter succinct and to the point.
Don't try to be funny.
This is not the place to show off your wit.
Save that for the interview.
Professionalism is the key.
The letter should simply state that you are applying for the position and that your CV is attached.
That's it.
Leave your CV to explain about your experience.
That's its job.
Grammar Obvious I know, but you'd be surprised how many people fall down at this elementary hurdle.
There's no excuse for it.
There never was but today with every word processing program containing a spell checker, it's unforgivable.
And you won't be forgiven.
An applicant who is sloppy with their grammar may be a sloppy worker.
Take time to ensure there are no spelling mistakes.
Fonts Use simple professional fonts; avoid flashy fonts.
They don't impress recruiters and may even turn them off.
Keep it simple.
Use your own words Avoid using templates.
Recruiters can spot them a mile away.
You may think you have been clever searching the net and downloading a nice looking cover letter template, you haven't.
You've shot yourself in the foot.
Templates are good in the right place; on a cover letter there a guarantee that your application will hit the bin.
No Folding Print your letter out on one sheet of good quality paper.
No copier paper please.
And use a paper clip to attach it to your resume.
Don't not fold them.
Place them into a large envelope and send them.
Folded cover letters and resumes are bad.
Recruiters don't like them.
If there are ten resumes on a desk and two of them are folded, they're the two that are favourites for the bin.
Take time and care with your cover letter.
Your cover letter and CV are interlinked; a bad cover letter will pull your CV down.
It's one of the most important documents you will write, and your future job prospects depend on it.