There has been a lot of conjecture surrounding the true value of a cover letter in modern job-seeking society so let’s get one thing straight: without one, don’t bother applying. Sending a CV without a cover letter is about as useful as a burger without a bun.

So let’s assume you have the bun:

You could write the best CV in the world and be highly qualified for a job, but if your cover letter is poorly written, generic, or misguided, you can pretty much throw your chances out the window. The cover letter is your first, and sometimes your only opportunity to grab an employer's attention and let them know why your CV is worth reading. In the current climate where there are an unprecedented number of applications to jobs, you need to stand out.

There are many different ways to write a cover letter and how you do this will largely depend on the employer, the job you are applying for and the proposed method of transmission. Here are some fundamental guidelines:

1. Research the organisation to learn about their business
2. Design a professional, visually appealing attractive format
3. Study the job profile / person spec to gain an insight into the role
4. Draw on your CV Resume for the key points and expertise matching the role
5. Include examples that demonstrate initiative, enthusiasm and quantified results
6. Make clear what you have to offer that would benefit the company
7. Include just sufficient information to encourage recruiters to want to learn more…

And how do they learn more? They invite you in for an interview…


Rebecca Fuller, founder of CV-writing experts The Fuller CV says: “Crafting a cover letter takes time because it needs to be right. You only get one shot at impressing the recipient so diligent penning is essential. Whilst there are many different ways to compose your masterpiece, there are some basic rules”. And these are:

1. Keep the language and content both relevant and simple. No need for tricks. Fancy fonts and colourful calligraphy does not show creativity
2. Avoid generic, empty language (‘I will bring a depth of experience,’ or, ‘I believe my qualifications and experience suit the demands of the position’). Be specific and concrete about what you can bring to the position
3. Work within a structure and be careful not to deviate from the intended message. You certainly do not need to convolute your application at the first hurdle
4. A cover letter is an introduction to you, not a definitive biography. Stick to one page.


So there you have it: nice and simple.

If you would like to learn more about the values of a cover letter and how it can enhance your CV application I recommend visiting A Perfect CV.

Click this link to view an example cover letter template.

Simon Lewis | Only Marketing Jobs