Cover letters. No one likes writing them. And here’s the secret… no one really loves reading them. But sometimes, just sometimes, they are the difference between getting the call and getting ignored.
Here are the situations where your cover letter may get the love it deserves:
- When you are applying for a job that involves writing or story telling
- When your resume doesn’t make much sense
- When you are on the borderline of a yay or nay
But the reality is, most don’t get read by employers. Our unscientific analysis puts it at 1 in 300 that get proper attention.
Now, if you are adamant that your cover letter is essential to tell your story, here are some tips….
- Personalise it. Know who you are sending it to. If you are unsure, ask. No more “Dear Sir/Madam”. Pah-lease.
- Match the tone of the brand. Show the personality that your CV cannot. Make it the jazz hands of cover letters.
- Tell a story in response to the job ad. Give an insight or an anecdote that shows this role was made for you.
- Attach it as the same file as the CV (rather than a separate one). That way it can’t be missed! Sneaky sneaky.
Our advice? Make it bloody good or scrap it.
