Posted on December 23, 2020 by Archan Trivedi

A Cover letter is a letter that is sent along with your resume while applying to jobs. It is a formal business letter that is often the first contact you make with a prospective employer. Since a cover letter is usually the first impression you make with the employer, you would want it to be the best!  It is a career marketing tool to introduce you, highlight your qualifications, and most importantly generate an invitation for a personal interview.

Are Cover / Email Letters necessary? Yes – they showcase your differentiated value proposition.

Companies often receive thousands of resumes for various job openings. So, there are chances that they might reject resumes that are either too long or are missing a cover letter. It acts as an opportunity to convey the reader that you possess several key attributes which are aligned to the job requirements. The way you focus on your preferences, personal information and job skills will portray a perspective of you to the potential employer.

Sometimes, employers do not glance the job applications that are missing a cover letter. It exhibits the type of core values that you might bring in. A good cover letter encourages the reader to read your resume. If you need to explain your employment gaps or if you are looking for changing careers, you really do require a cover letter. Writing a cover letter does not mean that you have to duplicate the information of your resume. Instead, a cover letter includes those details that you have ignored or omitted in your resume or CV. For instance, if you are applying for a particular job from a distance, your cover letter will enable you to present a rationale for relocation as well as mention that you will be available shortly for interview.

Some important tips for a Cover Letter

• A cover letter should be crisp, short, and professional, i.e., it should not exceed 300-350 words.
• Have a targeted cover letter for each job position/ company.
• Focus on demonstrating your qualifications that will add value to the company once hired.
• State your interest in the company and if you have any idea what the company needs, toss it in.
• Highlight your skills specific to the job description and pitch in if you possess any special experience or training.

Employers often expect to receive a cover letter along with the resume, even though they did not stipulate the need for a cover letter in their job advertisements. A cover letter allows the recruiters to develop a better understanding of suitability for a job position. The overall goal of a cover letter is to demonstrate your uniqueness as a candidate that can bring value to the position and to show your experience and enthusiasm about it. A tailored and captivating cover letter reflects that you have taken the time to research about the company as well as understand the employer’s needs and job description.

Research suggest that various employers favour those resumes that are accompanied by a cover letter. The pitch of your cover letter gives the employer an important comprehension into your personality and the kind of attributes that could prove valuable. Moreover, candidates who do not attach a cover letter are often viewed as less motivated for the job. The cover letter that you write should always motivate the readers to know more about you. Crafting a customized cover letter is definitely time consuming, but it is worthwhile to do so.