How to write a cover letter

You have heard it very often that it is permanently etched into your mind - always write a cover letter for CV submission. But what is a good cover letter? Is it even required and important?

Yes, it's very important, in fact. A cover letter not only provides an introduction to a potential recruiter and can do so in a more customized way than your CV alone ever could. It's very important to know how to write a cover letter that showcases who you are as a person. You can use your cover letter to give the reader an idea of who you are and why you are perfect for the job vacancy. Tell them about you in your cover letter, for CVs are the place to tell them about your skills.

Additionally, it gives a chance to impress a potential recruiter with your intelligence and communication skills as well as to tell them that you know all about the job you are attempting to land. You can really do a lot with a good cover letter for CV applications, so don't forget to write one with every CV.

What is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter introduces you and your CV to potential recruiters or companys you seek to join (non-profits, educational institutions, etc). It is the first document an recruiter sees, so it is often the first impression you will make. Take advantage of this important first impression and prepare the reader for your application, stating why you are writing, why you are a good match for the job and the company, and when you will contact him or her.

Cover letters do more than introduce your CV, though. A cover letter's importance also includes its ability to:

• Explain your experiences in a story-like format that works with the information provided in your CV
• Allow you to go in-depth about important experiences/skills and relate them to job requirements
• Show the recruiter that you are individualizing (tailoring) this job application
• Provide a sample of your written communication skills

The following resources are a compilation of tips and strategies to guide you throughout the writing of your cover letter. Please refer to the sample cover letters for a picture of the finished product.

Good luck writing!
What content to include in your cover letter

The opening paragraph should be short and hard-hitting. Begin with an arresting sentence in which you explain why it is you are writing, for example ‘I would like to be considered for the position of Marketing Manager’.

If you are applying for an advertised position then say where you saw the advert, ‘In response to the Marketing Manager job vacancy advertised in ‘Marketing Weekly’. If someone referred you to your contact, mention your friend’s reference in this section.

Examples of good opening paragraphs:

• In response to the advertised position in The Guardian on June 28th, please consider my resume in your search for a Sales Manager.
• I was pleased to hear from Peter Smith that you will soon have a vacancy for a Sales Manager.
• I am very interested in this job position, and I think that with my skills I could be an asset to your company.
• Having recently read in The Times of your company’s plans for expansion, I am writing to establish whether this will involve an increase in personnel. As a final year business student at Boston University, I am seeking a position in June that will develop my marketing and finance skills.