How to write a Cover Letter

If you’ve already joined me from How to write a CV then thanks for making it this far! If you missed that post, I’d suggest checking it out.

As with CV’s, I get a lot of people asking me how to write a good Cover Letter. This post will be fairly short and I need to say that this is entirely and exclusively my own opinion, based on many CV’s and Cover Letters I have read in my 14+ years in recruitment.

What is a Cover Letter?

It’s an introduction letter, generally used to introduce yourself and outline the specific experience you have that relates to the role. It can also be used to add a bit of personality and provide some context to your CV.

Do I have to write one?

Some companies will require it, others won’t. It’s a personal choice whether you submit one if not requested. At Cronofy, we don’t ask for Cover Letters but people do send them. Due to the fact we don’t ask for them, we don’t read them because I want to avoid an opportunity for bias to influence my decision-making (i.e. judging someone on the basis of something we haven't asked for).

Herein lies the problem with Cover Letters, they open up reasons for judgment on the basis of something that isn’t required for the job (If you list a sports team and the reader is a supporter of their main rivals, they could look less favourably at your application).

Where do Cover Letters go wrong?

Simply put, they go wrong if they’re too long. The likelihood is they won’t get read and the message you’re trying to convey isn’t hitting home early enough. I believe they should be short, sharp, and to the point.

The overall objective of your Cover Letter should be to get the reader to look at your CV.

What should go in a Cover Letter?

I have seen too many CV’s that read as follows:

Dear HR / Talent / Manager / Person

I’m delighted to attach my CV for the application of BMX Fixer Upper at ‘If It Ain’t Round, It Ain’t Going Down Limited’. I believe my experience is a perfect match for this role and am excited about the prospect of working at your company.

Throughout my entire life, I’ve been obsessed with bikes. From an early age, my parents had me on an original Raleigh Mk1 which I rode into the ground. I was hooked on BMXing from the minute I picked up my first Chopper at the ripe old age of 7.

During my career, I’ve fixed over 1000 BMX bikes during my time at BM-WREX, and I believe this puts me in a prime position to succeed as Fixer Upper. From researching your business I love your values, particularly the ‘straight handlebars’ which talk about treating customers fairly and giving them straight and uncomplicated advice. This aligns very closely with my own beliefs, having been on the receiving end of positive feedback from many return customers over the years.

I believe my unique experience in (some examples) makes me an ideal applicant. I’m hard-working, resourceful, ambitious, and dedicated to forging a career fixing up bikes. Your mission of ‘fixing enough bikes to ride around the world in one minute’ speaks to my own desire to help people cycle to the horizon and back, just as I wanted to do growing up.

Please find enclosed my CV which lists nearly a decade of relevant experience. I would welcome the opportunity to interview with you and discuss my suitability further.

Kind Regards

Bradley Ike

That’s a long Cover Letter and doesn’t say a huge amount other than passion for the role. You'd be amazed how many Cover Letters follow a similar thread, and the problem is Recruiters, TA people, or Hiring Managers are unlikely to read it or get excited about it, and won't have much faith going into your CV.

If you want a Cover Letter to stand out, your only ambition should be to get them to want to read your brilliant CV. Make it short, easily digesteable, and make them want to look at your application. Don’t put the reader off before they’ve even looked at your CV.

Here’s an example of something personal, short, and easy to read:

You could probably shorten this even further but the point is it’s in a relaxed tone, touches on the mission (showing you’ve researched the business), and hints toward your own experience plus more in the CV. It doesn't say too much, but just enough to indicate 'my experience is relevant, go take a look'.

Should I use AI to write a Cover Letter?

In short, no. There are tools out there that pick up common AI phrases or words in Cover Letters and CV's. A Cover Letter must be personalised and tailored for a role, and you'd be shooting yourself in the foot early on by letting software write something that is supposed to be authentic.

Do the extra work, get it right. It only takes one great application to land a role.

Closing thoughts

Please spend more time getting your CV right than fretting over a perfect Cover Letter. You absolutely must tailor a Cover Letter to every application you make - if you’re not prepared to research the business, how do you know it’s somewhere you will want to work?

In my humble opinion the shorter and more personal your Cover Letter, the more likely you’ll be to get someone to take your CV with real consideration.

To all those on the job market right now, I wish you the very best of luck. It’s not easy out there.