Form of cover letter

We are often asked to send a Cover Letter for the vacancy. While considering the candidate the cover letter is no less important than the personal resume. Writing a cover letter seems to be difficult, but if you follow a few simple rules and give enough time, we'll find that it's a very easy and useful thing. Usually, the cover letter is attached to our resume and that's why it should be of additional useful information and not a duplicate of the resume. The purpose of the cover letter is to add real facts about yourself to the data of the resume.

Often, the addressee of the cover letter is your potential employer, so you have a chance to make the first positive impression on him/her.

First of all, we should take into consideration that you should write a separate cover letter for each vacancy. If you do not give enough time and attention to the cover letter, you may not be able to get into the list of candidates to be interviewed regardless your experience.

What is difference between a cover letter and resume?

Resume contains facts and gives answers to the following questions - who, what, where, when and how, while cover letter explains why you fit this or that position. The cover letter is the best way to deliver information about your personality. The employer learns what your motivation is towards the proposed job and how your experience and skills are relevant to the vacancy announced.
The cover letter helps you "sell" your qualification and  information in it can be verified  in the resume. The cover letter and resume have one common goal to represent you as a relevant candidate for the  vacancy.

What does the cover letter consist of?

A cover letter consists of a number of paragraphs where you describe your qualifications and tell the employer why you are interested in this vacancy. The letter should convince the employer that your candidacy is interesting and it is necessary to meet you. Successful cover letter is usually the basis for interview.

The letter begins with date, your contact information where you write your name, position, and phone number. If you know whom you write the letter to, greeting is important. If you know the name of the addressee, then start writing the letter with Mr or Mrs ____.  If the name of the addressee is unknown, then you can write:  to whom it may concern.

The first paragraph of your letter should contain information about why you write this email. Make sure you mention the position you are applying for. The second paragraph should describe your offer to the employer. Link your experience with the job requirements. Tell about your specific experience and skills that match the vacant job. Use a list format, which will allow the reader quickly read the letter and get necessary information. The last paragraph is the final part of your cover letter, in which you will thank the employer for considering your candidacy and express wish to meet him/her in person. End the letter in a traditional way: respectfully/sincerely,  your name and surname.

Human Resource Managers read more than 100 resumes and cover letters during the day. It is easy to imagine how little time is spent on each of them. Only the documents that are perfectly drawn and give the necessary information get noticed. It is inadmissible to send a document with grammar and spelling errors. In most cases, the employer does not consider the candidate whose documentation will not be interesting at first sight. First impression on your cover letter is often the basis for transition to the next stage, so do be reluctant and prepare a cover letter suitable for your qualification.

Author: Lika Kapanadze