Easy but effective tips for writing a great cover letter

Cover letters are not dead. They’re crucial to introducing who you are and why the HR manager should look at your CV and consider you for the job. Here are a few tips to ensure your cover letter not only gets seen, but also says “hire me!”

Never repeat your CV in your cover letter
Lots of people assume that a cover letter is just a repetition of your CV – not true. When you send your CV and cover letter off, your cover letter will be in the body of the email. If it’s not interesting enough the recruiter won’t think twice of moving on to the next applicant.

Be relevant
Your cover letter should show positivity, personality and your interest for the job. Think of the industry you’re applying to and combine history with cool. If you work in the clothing industry for example, you might want to mention how much it has changed since the 70's and how you would like to contribute to the next fashion favourite. This could show expertise and genuine interest in the field.

Less is more
Keep your cover letter short – three paragraphs max and no longer than half a page. Forget long winded sentences. Keep it interesting and to-the-point.

Address someone, but keep it general
If you don’t know who you should address your cover letter to, simply say, “To whom it may concern” and get right into your introduction.  

Your cover letter should be the body of your email
When you apply for a job vacancy, you should never leave the email body blank. That is your space to let recruiters know why they should open your CV and consider you for the job.

Never use the phrase below
“My name is ___, and I am applying for the position as ____”. Recruiters and hiring managers already know these things and it’ll make you sound inexperienced.

Craft a strong conclusion
Don’t start your closing line with “In conclusion”; it’s not a high school essay. Finish your cover letter off quickly. Simply explain why your experience will help you get the job done. Make sure the closing paragraph is no longer than two or three lines.

Ready to rock your job application? Find the perfect position today