So you’re all set with your resume and preparation for the interview and ready to hit up for your dream job? Unfortunately, that’s not all it’s going to take. Things have changed a lot in 2022 and after the pandemic, the companies are overwhelmed with a large number of applicants. In order to stand out, there are certain modern practices people use to shine amongst hundreds of applicants.
One of these practices is using a cover letter. It allows hiring managers and recruiters to better understand why you’re a good fit for the job.
A cover letter is a document that includes your basic information, the summary of your resume and explains why your suitability for the job that you’re applying to. It expands on other areas like skills that are best related to the job post. The better you write your cover letter, the greater your chances of being called to the job interview.
There are a few things that your resume doesn’t say but your cover letter can. A few of them are as follows:
Other than your suitability for the role and job qualifications, the employer also wants to know about your story. Believe it or not, sometimes employers get impressed more by your story rather than your job qualifications. Where to express your story? Cover letter!. A resume surely can’t tell an employer a detailed background of your profile so a cover letter fills the gap.
Building a relationship with your employer may not seem to be the most important factor but it does put some impact. The main difference between a CV and a cover letter is that a resume covers what your qualifications are, while the cover letter tells the employer more about your personality.
Now, you must be wondering when to write a cover letter and when not. Keep following to find out.
There can be several scenarios that can require you to use a cover letter along with your resume.
Sometimes it is stated on the job posting that a cover letter is required with the application. They can also label a cover letter as optional, in that case, you can still attach a cover letter because it’s always better to be on the safe side.
In some cases, you apply for a job and still get to sit for the interview. But after you complete your first interview, you might still need a cover letter for the hiring manager. You must be thinking what are the odds that this happens? Yes, it is very rare but it is always better to be on the safe side. Always prepare a cover letter for a position if it does not ask.
If you are applying with someone’s reference, write a cover letter for that person in the company. He will send it to the hiring personnel. There is no other way of saying that you are from someone else’s reference when you do not write a cover letter.
There are details and stories that you cannot mention in your resume. A cover letter can conclude your application efficiently and can include stories and scenarios that help you get the job and explain why you are the best fit. Another example of extra information is that if you are from a different location, it can tell the employer that you will be available in the area for a while for the interview.
If you do not write a cover letter, in this case, you might get rejected because your resume just states your location and makes the employer think that you will not be able to make it to the interview.
Let’s start this factor with an example. You worked at a firm for a huge period of 5 years. Then you suddenly leave it and take a 2-year gap from employment because you got into an accident. After 2 years, you are applying for another job.
The employer would surely want to know what is the reason behind leaving such a stable job and taking a huge employment gap. You definitely cannot elaborate on this in your resume. A cover letter is something that will help you describe your situation to the potential employer.
It is very difficult to get a job when you are new to the field and you do not have much relevant experience. If you are starting fresh, a cover letter can prove to be very impactful. You can showcase your enthusiasm towards learning about this new post and mention any non-professional experience that you might have regarding this position.
A cover letter gives you a chance to provide more details on something that needs clarification on your resume. You cannot put much of the detail on your resume as it is supposed to be brief. So a cover letter covers up for you and grants you the opportunity to clarify any confusing areas in the resume.
You can use a cover letter to mention any extra skills that an employer might find useful for the position. For example, the position of team lead can require skills like working in a team and leadership skills. So you can showcase these skills in your cover letter or resume. You can also add any past relevant non-professional experience in the cover letter that helps to prove your expertise in the relevant area in front of the employer.
The process of creating a professional-level cover letter can appear to be confusing for some people. Do not worry. It can happen to beginners but keeping in mind the following tips, you can write a cover letter that will stand out amongst your other companions’.
Once you follow the above-mentioned tips, it should not be hard for you to be able to create an impactful and powerful cover letter. If you are still having trouble with writing a cover letter that is relevant to the job post, you can try getting the services from a professional cover letter writing service.