three reasons why cover letters are important

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How and Why to Write a Great Cover Letter

A cover letter is a one-page business letter that you submit when applying to a job, along with your resume. As a piece of persuasive writing, your cover letter will aim to convey to the employer why you’re a great candidate for the role.

What is the purpose of a cover letter?

Your cover letter complements your resume by making it easy for the employer to see how your experience and interest connect to the position. Your goal is to convince the employer to interview you.

With your cover letter, you’ll aim to:

• Highlight your qualifications:  You’ll show how your skills and experience relate to the employer’s needs for a specific position.
• Showcase your motivation: You’ll demonstrate your enthusiasm for the specific position and the organization.
• Reflect your voice and written communication skills: You’ll give the employer a sense of your personality and writing style.

When should I write a cover letter?

Not all jobs require cover letters. So, how do you decide whether to submit one?

Submit a Cover Letter when…

• The posting explicitly requests that you do so
• You’re applying to an opportunity at a mission-driven organization
• You think that doing so could provide important information to the employer that they wouldn’t get from your resume

Consider Submitting a Cover Letter when…

• It’s marked “optional” in an application, and you have the bandwidth to do so
• You have content that you can easily recycle or repurpose into a tailored cover letter

No Need to Submit a Cover Letter when…

• A posting specifically tells you not to submit one
• There’s no way to submit one in an application portal, and doing so would require a serious workaround

If you’re applying to several similar opportunities, creating a draft cover letter in advance, geared toward that type of opportunity, can be a helpful way to save time in your actual application process.

How do I write a cover letter?

Your cover letter should articulate your qualifications and motivation for the position. Read the job description closely and research the organization. As you craft your cover letter, use examples that demonstrate your relevant skills, knowledge, and interests. The cover letter should be concise, clear, and well-organized.

Before Writing

Research the employer.

Learn enough about the organization to articulate why you are a strong fit for that firm. 

• Review the firm’s website and LinkedIn page.
• Speak with current or previous employees.
• Read articles and social media for current news.

Analyze the job description

Look for skills, duties, and qualifications of the job so you can design your letter to match these as much as possible.

Reflect on your experience and motivation

Identify skills and personal qualities you have developed which will be useful in this role. Ask yourself:

• What attracts you about this role/company/industry?
• What have you have done in your work experiences, classes, internships, activities, projects, volunteer work, travel, etc., that is similar to the duties required of the job? 

Cover Letter Structure

As a business letter, the cover letter should include:

• Heading: Include your name and contact information in the same format as your resume
• Salutation: Address your letter to the specific individual who can hire you, if this is known. If the name is not included in the job description, address the letter to the Hiring Manager or title mentioned in the job description.
• Body Paragraphs:  Discuss your experiences, interests, and skills to show the employer how you can add value to their team. See the section below for more guidance.
• Signature Line: Include a closing and your name.

The cover letter should be one page, about three or four paragraphs, and single spaced. Use 10-12 point font and one inch margins. 

When applying online, upload your cover letter as a PDF file, unless another format is specified. When sending your resume and cover letter by email, you may write a short note or paste your cover letter in the body of your email (without the address header) and also attach the PDF file.

Cover Letter Content

Your cover letter should answer who, what, when, where and why you are applying for the opportunity. 

Introduction

State the position for which you are applying. If you have a referral or spoke with someone from the company, you can mention it in the introduction. Provide some basic information about yourself; this can include your class year and what you’re studying at Columbia. Briefly outline why you’re interested in the organization and what you bring in terms of relevant experience and skills. 

Body Paragraphs

These paragraphs will highlight your qualifications and strengths that are most relevant to the organization and position. Use the job posting and your research as clues to determine what the employer is seeking in a candidate. Have your resume beside you and reflect on what you want the employer to know about you. Are there experiences you want to expand upon that demonstrate your understanding of the role and ability to do the job requirements?

Structure the paragraphs based on relevance, not chronology. Lead with your most relevant skill or strongest experience.

Start each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence.  This can highlight a key skill set, a transferable experience, or a core area of knowledge you’ve built through your studies. Walk the reader through a project or experience, integrating the relevant skills you used and qualities you demonstrated. Provide details about your accomplishments and impact. Connect how these experiences have prepared you for this role and why you are motivated to do this job. There is no need to apologize if you feel you lack experience; focus on the accomplishments that you have.

Recap what you would bring to the organization and your interest in the position. Thank the employer for their consideration. Keep your tone positive and enthusiastic. 

Check out our example of how to structure your cover letter content . 

Editing Tips

Use our  Cover Letter Checklist to make sure your format and content is in line with best practices. 

• Ensure that the content reflects the requirements in the job description
• Keep the cover letter concise, at one page or less
• Correct any errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling
• Use the active voice
• Avoid beginning too many sentences with “I”

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Why One Executive Says Your Cover Letter Is More Important Than Your Résumé

Today, a résumé scan or quick Google search can seemingly tell you everything you need to know about a job candidate: where they went to school, their work history, any major awards or achievements — the list goes on.

But no matter how in-depth your résumé — or its online equivalent — is, it's not enough to tell your whole story to potential employers, writes Lauren Nelson, a communications specialist and VP at  Aesthetic Cogency,  in a LinkedIn post . "I don't care if your résumé is dozens pages of awards and sheer greatness," she says. "You've lost me."

To Nelson, a well-written cover letter is more important than an impressive résumé because it reveals your work ethic and attention to detail. It provides glimpses into your personality that a list of achievements can't. 

For starters, Nelson makes it clear that she always requires a cover letter with any job application, yet she only receives them 40% of the time. And only about a fourth that do send cover letters actually tailor them to the job, making it easy for Nelson to weed out candidates. "If you can't follow simple instructions in the application process, I have little to no faith in your ability to take direction on the job," she explains. 

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Furthermore, what candidates choose to include on their cover letter tells Nelson if their background is a good match for the position. "If you cannot communicate why your experience and skills are relevant to the job, I'm not sure you understand what the position entails, or that your background brings all that much value to the table," she says. 

On the other hand, when Nelson can tell that a candidate took the time to craft a concise, detailed cover letter for the specific position they applied for, she is more than ready to schedule an interview. 

"I would rather have a determined, passionate individual with a strong work ethic on my team than an Ivy League degree without tenacity every single time," she says. What it comes down to is hard work and dedication — your résumé might boast impressive accomplishments, but it means nothing if you can't prove that you're genuinely passionate about the position.

Read the full LinkedIn post  here .  

Want your business advice featured in  Instant  MBA? Submit your tips to  [email protected] . Be sure to include your name, your job title, and a photo of yourself in your email.  

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Why cover letters are still important, and how to write one

Jane McNeill

14 Jun 2019

Writing a great cover letter can really help your job application to stand out. Taking the time and effort to write a unique cover letter positions you as a proactive candidate.

Not all candidates will make the effort to write a tailored and personalised cover letter . So, if you do, it’s more likely that you will catch the attention of the reader.

Jodi Glickman, a communications expert, observes : “Not sending a cover letter is a sign of laziness. It’s akin to making spelling and grammar mistakes in your resume. You just don’t do it.”

A good cover letter needs to communicate that you are genuinely interested in the role and why. You need to tailor the letter and not just edit a standard one that you use regularly. Here are some of the things you should and shouldn’t do when writing yours.

What is a cover letter?  

Before we begin – let’s go back to basics: what is a cover letter ? This document is a simple job application letter that candidates submit alongside their CV when applying for a job. It serves as a personal introduction to you as a professional.   

Cover letters also enable you to:  

• Summarise why you are the right person for the job.  
• Highlight relevant work experience .  
• Demonstrate that you are genuinely interested in the role.  

What to do when writing your cover letter :  

Do your research before you start writing  .

Researching the company, role, and hiring manager will give you a clue of the appropriate tone to use and the points you should include. Keep in mind factors such as the organisation’s industry, culture and values. Look at:  

• the organisation’s official website   
• the organisation’s social media profiles  
• Executives’ social media profiles  
• Any employee reviews.  

Personalise your addressee  

Avoid using ‘ Dear Sir or Madam ’ or ‘ Dear Hiring Manager ’. Getting any names wrong or not addressing the cover letter shows a lack of attention to detail . It’s easier than ever to find out the relevant hiring manager’s name.    

Beyond the addressee, don’t just copy and paste your cover letter for every position you apply for. Make sure to personalise a targeted letter for each application. It’ll be obvious to an employer if you’ve just edited a few words of the same cover letter . A copy-and-paste approach may imply that you have little real interest in the vacancy.  

Start with a strong intro to hook the reader in  

The opening paragraph of your cover letter will either grab the hiring manager’s attention or lose it. Your introduction needs to demonstrate that you understand what the reader is looking for. Instantly communicate your unique selling points that will help to solve the hiring manager’s problems.   

Do you have expert industry knowhow? Can you demonstrate relevant achievements, skills and experience ? This approach works much better than a generic cover letter template such as “I’m applying for the role of XXX.”  

Specify if you’ve been referred by a friend  

If you have discovered an opportunity through a friend, or have a previous connection with the organisation, mention it. Did this person introduce you to the hiring manager because they think you could be a good fit for the role? Or perhaps you crossed paths as an intern or an employee at one of the company’s suppliers or competitors?   

Mentioning a relevant connection within the company will help a hiring manager to validate your credentials.  

Optimise the subject line, if you can  

Check the job requirements again before sending your cover letter .  Sometimes employers ask applicants to include something specific in the subject line. After all, it can be easy to miss an application in a busy inbox!  

Write a subject line that is to-the-point and will stand out in an inbox.  

Use keywords mentioned in the job description  

Refer explicitly to some of the skills and requirements within the job description. This approach will help to clarify your attention to detail, and to streamline the approval process for employers.   

But don’t keyword-stuff in the hope that applicant tracking software (ATS) will pick up your application. It is possible to overdo your use of keywords.  

Include your contact information  

Make sure that your cover letter includes your:  

• Full name  
• phone number  
•   email address    
• LinkedIn URL.  

Sign off your letter professionally  

End the main part of the cover letter by clarifying your enthusiasm.   

For example: “I am excited to talk about how I can help your company succeed”.   

Then close with the formal and widely accepted “Best regards” or “Sincerely”.  

Spell check and ensure the formatting is correct  

If you’re submitting your cover letter as an attachment online, write it as a document first. Word or Google Docs will flag up obvious issues like spelling mistakes.   

Also, check that any formatting in your document translates properly into the email or online form. In terms of formatting, break any intimidating blocks of text into more readable paragraphs and bullet points.  

Save your cover letter and CV in the same document  

Combining separate documents will prevent an employer from misplacing your cover letter . It’s common for automated applicant tracker systems to separate CVs and cover letters, which can lead to lost documents..   

What not to do when writing a professional cover letter  

Keep your application succinct  .

Remember: the reader is interested in concrete facts rather than quirkiness or clichés. Cover letters should fit onto a single page of A4.  

Don’t overlook the finer points  

Have you taken the time to find out the name of the recipient so that you can address the cover letter to them personally? What about signing off appropriately? It’s small touches like these that could really help you to stand out from other candidates.  

Don’t just repeat what you’ve said on your CV or LinkedIn profile  

A cover letter should be complementary to these other means of marketing yourself professionally. This additional document should support and enhance your story.   

Use this opportunity to clarify why your hobbies, interests and years of experience make you especially interested in this position.  

Don’t go overboard with the flattery  

Flattering an employer too much could risk you coming across as insecure, insincere or sycophantic. Professionalism, maturity and authenticity are vital qualities to communicate from the beginning of your relationship with your potential employer .  

Don’t write in the third person

A cover letter is, after all, a letter, addressed directly to the employer. You are using this document to sell yourself. Your tone of voice in your cover letter should be professional above all.

However, your covering letter should also be conversational enough to engage the reader. Remember: you can use this opportunity to communicate your personality, values and interest in the role.

Don’t use WordArt or unusual fonts

Use a standard professional font that is readable and clean. A simple font will make the right impression on hiring managers. What’s more, automated scanning systems used by applicant tracking systems can also sometimes struggle with more unusual fonts.

(H2) A template cover letter or CV covering letter example

45 King Edward Street Name Phone Number Email LinkedIn URL

Organisation Name Address Date Dear Mr Carl Smith,

Subject line: Experienced senior manager for X position

I was previously introduced to your company by your colleague, Susan Bainbridge, at the recent X trade fair, and became particularly intrigued by the work you do and the culture of the business. Subsequently, I was especially excited to see the role of X recently advertised on your website.

I believe my 15 years as a senior manager for one of the biggest names in the X sector, overseeing a 25 per cent rise in revenues over the last half-decade, uniquely equips me to build upon the experience I already have, apply my knowledge and skills to the role of X, and dedicate myself wholeheartedly to your business.  

From reviewing the job description, I believe that I am a great match for this role and could become a key team player in helping your business to attain its ambitions. Pinsent Media is at a similar stage of its development to my present employer when I began my role with them, and I would love nothing more than to be able to help drive similarly incredible growth and success for your business.  

I would like to draw your attention to the following skills and achievements that I would appreciate the opportunity to build on as your brand’s next X:

• Exceptional people, resource and process skills that have helped to drive consistent and measurable improvements in the company’s productivity, performance and sales in my present role – all skills that are well-matched to Pinsent Media’s search for an X with a “proven track record” in these areas
• An influential player in the transformation of my present company from a small business generating £2.2 million in annual revenue with an 18-member staff team, into one of the most thriving and respected firms in its industry, employing 48 staff and recording revenue of £26.2 million last year. I would be delighted to draw upon my skills and contacts to further Pinsent Media’s own ambitious growth objectives
• The conceptualisation and establishment of such strategic initiatives as X, X and X, as reported by Forbes and HuffPost and driving the company to new heights of operational success. These achievements are highly relevant to Pinsent Media’s intention for its next X to assist in significantly expanding its international media profile and reputation for innovation

Thank you for your consideration. I have attached my CV and look forward to speaking to you further about this opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

Simon M. Taylor

How to use our job application cover letter template

The principle of a successful cover letter is simple. Your cover letter needs to excite  an employer enough to find out more. We want to entice a hiring manager to read your CV.

A concise, measured covering letter will bring you one  step closer to getting an interview. By following the above advice, you can help to make yourself a more attractive candidate for your dream job .

Updating your CV? Our  CV writing tips and advice  will help you get started:

• 3 burning questions your CV must answer
• How to write a powerful personal statement

Jane McNeill joined Hays in 1987 as a graduate trainee in their London head office after graduating with an MA (Hons) in Psychology from Edinburgh University. She began her career recruiting accountancy & finance professionals, before spending 11 years recruiting senior permanent professionals for London’s banking & finance sector. During this time she quickly progressed through management roles and in 1992 she was appointed Director after leading the London city business to a phenomenal post-recession recovery.

Jane transferred to Perth, Western Australia, in 2001. Over the next decade she grew Hays’ business in that state from a team of 15 to nearly 250 staff. She also established and managed Hays’ banking & financial services business.

She was appointed to the Hays Australia & New Zealand management board in 2007. Now based in Sydney, Jane oversees Hays’ operations in both NSW and WA. She is responsible for 400 staff located in two states that are separated by a five-hour flight and a three-hour time difference. At the same time, she retains her keen interest and passion in banking & financial services recruitment by adding national responsibility for Hays Banking and Hays Insurance to her remit.

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3 Reasons Why You Should Still Use a Cover Letter

There are a lot of mixed feelings out there about whether a cover letter is worth the time it takes to write it. Resumes are a necessary evil, but what about cover letters? Why write one when there’s a chance the recruiter will skip right over it to get to your resume? The thing is, while there are a lot of recruiters who might choose not to read it, there are just as many who appreciate a well-written cover letter and might use it to decide between a few equally qualified candidates.

If you have the qualifications but haven’t taken the time to introduce yourself as a person in a cover letter, you might just be overlooked. Worst case scenario? The recruiter puts it to the side. Best case scenario? They take it into consideration when deciding whether it’s worth bringing you in for an interview. So, unless a company specifically asks that you not submit a cover letter, it’s best to cover your bases and submit one. Here are three more reasons that cover letters are still relevant:

1. They offer a more relevant explanation than a resume can.

Your resume can only do so much in terms of explaining things like a gap in employment, a promotion, or why you held two jobs at once. Many people try to offer too much of an explanation on their resume because they don’t want to submit a cover letter. We recommend that most people submit a cover letter, but if you fall into one of these categories, you especially need one! There is no place for “I was laid off from my last job, which is why I was only there for four months” on your resume. You can, however, offer a brief explanation of why you were only at your last job for four months on your cover letter while emphasizing your relevant skills and why you’re excited about the role you’re applying for.

Even if you don’t feel you have unusual circumstances on your resume that warrant explanation, you still need a cover letter. A resume is an evidence-based document where you present the facts of your employment, leaving it up to a recruiter to decide what kind of professional you are. A cover letter, on the other hand, allows you to elaborate on any strengths you listed in the resume and offer an explanation as to why you’re perfect for the position in your own words. Together, your resume and cover letter make up your marketing team—presenting the facts while also giving you a little bit of personality. If you skip out on the cover letter, you’re only giving recruiters the facts without the personalization only a cover letter can provide.

2. They demonstrate how you communicate.

Even if your resume is perfect, recruiters shouldn’t have to rely on your resume to measure your communication skills. Between the third-person perspective and the to-the-point bullets, there’s not much there that shows recruiters that you’re a natural communicator who can converse well with others.

Then there’s the cover letter, which allows you to write more conversationally and in the first person. The cover letter is a better sneak peek into how you’ll communicate with coworkers and/or clients than a document that could have been written by anyone. A persuasive cover letter gives recruiters a little background on who you are, covers some highlights of your career, and establishes your interest in the position. Your ability to make a solid argument as to why you’re qualified for the role will not only make you a stronger candidate but also give them an idea of how you’ll communicate with others if you land the job.

3. They show you’re a serious candidate.

It’s true—some recruiters won’t bother looking at your cover letter. That’s the unfortunate reality of applying for jobs where you’ll spend countless hours perfecting a resume that might only get a glance. However, it’s still worth the gamble that someone will read it because there are many that will. For those that do read it, the fact that you took the time to write a cover letter will set you apart from those candidates who didn’t bother. Or perhaps it may not be read right away, but as the candidate pool gets narrowed down, they might refer back to your application materials to make a final decision. At this time, they’ll take your cover letter into account when making their decision. You can’t know for sure whether or not anyone will read your cover letter, but you can give yourself a better shot with those companies who do take the time to read cover letters by submitting one. After all, you don’t need 20 job offers—you just need the right one.

Perhaps you’ve always known you needed a cover letter, but you’ve been pulling your hair out trying to write it. The same reasons why cover letters are important are the same reasons they’re challenging to write. Many clients find that the most difficult aspect of writing their cover letter is communicating their accomplishments effectively while also avoiding a “braggy” tone that gives a bad first impression. If you’re at a loss, our writers at Executive Drafts are experts at striking that balance and can help you communicate your experience on paper.

3 Reasons Why Cover Letter is Important

Today, very often, in job announcements we can see that a cover letter is required.

And before starting to discover why it is, first let's find out what the cover letter is.

A cover letter or motivation letter is a formal way to introduce your professional and personal skills, and represent your interest to work with and become a part of the team of your potential employer.  This is also the key to success and moving forward to the interview stage.

Now, let's find out the top 3 reasons why a cover letter is important, and you need to create it.

Highlight Strengths

A cover or motivation letter allows you to highlight your professional skills and introduce yourself from the best side. For this point, we recommend you, before writing your motivation letter, sit and write down your top 3 strongest skills that can be essential for the employer or HR team .

Serious Intentions

With a cover letter, you show your excitement and high interest in a job that you are applying for. Here, you should do deep research on the company that you are interested in to find out the employer's values and mission and speak out about them in your cover letter. Trust, they will appreciate it.

Self Representing and Writing Abilities

A motivation letter is a brilliant way to show your ability to represent yourself and your writing skills. More often, these two capabilities become decisive to choosing the best match for the role of the required job position by the HR team.

To Conclude

To conclude, besides all-above mentioned there is a final piece of advice which says: "Always tell the truth about your abilities and skills", because, after that, you should approve them with your job.

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