What can you include in a cover letter?
I get asked this all the time. This is a slightly longer post than my usual but I hope it gives you ideas for crafting your own cover letters.
Basically its important to remember that the cover letter can cover things the CV can’t. If you have any special circumstances surrounding your application or if there is anything on your CV or application that needs additional context then a cover letter is in your best interests. The list below is to give you ideas of subjects you can write about in a cover letter. The first 3 are definitely the most important.
Your pitch
This is the opportunity sell yourself and reflect back to them that you are what they are looking for. Make a clear connection between your experience and skills and their requirements. Be positive about what you have to offer, demonstrate your selling points and why you are the perfect candidate.
Your effort
It’s a great way to showcase how eager and proactive you are whilst also demonstrating your knowledge (research skills) of the sector. Find out something about the company, position or products that have resonance with you. Its about making a connection and showing that you have given time and effort to your application.
Your values
Companies are looking for people that can do the job and also fit in with the company culture. The cover letter can be an opportunity to show them your values and what you stand for. A bit more about who you are as a person.
Explaining out of area applications
If you are moving and hope to secure a job before you get there you can let the potential employer know this so they understand why your application is coming from a different location.
Career transition
If you are looking for a new type of role or wishing to move sector a good cover letter can briefly explain why and also why you want that particular role. You can highlight why your past experiences have prepared you by highlighting relevant transferable skills and personality traits.
Speculative applications
Speculative applications can lead to opportunities but to ensure a good speculative cover letter you’ll need to do your research. Employers will want to know why you want to work for the organisation. Its important to focus on what you offer the company rather than what the company could do for you.
Recent postgraduate qualification
It may be that you embarked on a Masters (or other qualification) to expand subject knowledge, make contacts and improve job prospects. While the CV states the qualification the cover letter can explain why your recent study and any placements makes you a great candidate for the job.
Starting work with little or no experience
This can feel tough but a great cover letter can help you promote yourself. Any experience can be shown to be useful and transferable. A cover letter is useful for hirers to see how your education, hobbies, clubs, volunteering and other less traditional sources of experience (even family circumstances) connect you to the job you are applying for. Work out what these experiences have taught you and how you can relate this to the job you are applying for.
Employment gaps
You don’t have to explain employment gaps (unless asked to) but some people use the cover letter to explain a gap and show the positives to come out of it.
Personal connections to company or personal referral
If someone has referred you to the job or if you have another connection to the company the cover letter is an ideal place to detail this. (Never on the CV!).
Highlighting your availability
If the role has a specific start date you can let potential employers know that you are ready and willing to start on that date. (If you are not available on this date I would not advise specifying this in the cover letter it’s something to be discussed at interview or even at the time of job offer).
If you would like help with job applications, CV and cover letters why not get in touch and see how I could help.