Winning Cover Letters - the best way to get that interview and job
This guide from AcademicJobs.com's CEO offers advice on crafting a compelling cover letter.
Top Cover Letters Tips:
Cover letters are essential: "Our recruitment team agree sending a cover letter is almost always the best decision, even if the job application doesn’t ask for one. Plus, if they don’t need a cover letter, sending one will demonstrate you’re a motivated candidate. So ultimately, you can’t go wrong!" The source strongly advises submitting a cover letter with every application, framing it as an opportunity to show extra initiative.
Personalisation is key: A generic cover letter is unlikely to make a strong impression. The source stresses the importance of personalisation in several aspects:
Addressing the right person: "Address the letter directly to the person named in the job ad. If there’s no name, you can use LinkedIn to research and find the name of the relevant person, or go the classic route and call to find out." This highlights the value of effort and attention to detail.
Expressing interest in the specific company: "Mention where you learned about the role, and let us know why you want to work for Aurecon. Is it our projects? Our values? Our Principles?" The goal is to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of the company's mission.
The cover letter should complement the CV/resume, not replicate it: "Think of your cover letter as the entrée to your resume. It shouldn’t be so detailed that it replicates what’s contained in your resume, but should give your recruiter an understanding of the skills you may be able to bring to a position." This advice stresses the strategic role of the cover letter in previewing key skills and enticing recruiters to delve deeper into the resume.
Highlight relevant skills and experience: "The next step is to summarise your main skills and experience; specify the most significant and relevant parts which you believe match the job description. Each paragraph should focus on a different aspect." The letter should be tailored to the specific job requirements, emphasizing relevant expertise and capabilities. General skills, such as "communication and interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities and organisational strengths" are also worth highlighting.
Proofread meticulously: "After you have written your cover letter – proofread it. And then proofread again. A cover letter with grammatical errors and spelling mistakes can lead to your application being rejected." The importance of perfect grammar and spelling cannot be overstated, as errors undermine credibility.
Use strong, active language: "Use dynamic verbs such as ‘collaborated’, ‘motivated’, ‘managed’ and ‘analysed’ to help convey your points." Strong verbs convey action and achievement, making your contributions sound more impactful.
Keep it concise: "Make sure to edit your cover letter so it’s only one-page long." Brevity and focus are important as the recruiter's time is precious.
End with a positive call to action: "Finally, finish the cover letter by suggesting opportunities for further interaction: for example, indicate your willingness to meet and discuss your experience in more detail. Always finish on a positive note." The final paragraph should express enthusiasm and a desire to move to the next stage of the application process.
Actionable Advice (based on the source):
Always write a cover letter: Even if not required, it shows initiative.
Research: Find the name of the hiring manager.
Tailor each cover letter: Align the content with the specific job description and company.
Showcase relevant skills: Use concrete examples and strong verbs.
Proofread carefully: Eliminate all grammatical and spelling errors.
Keep it to one page: Be concise and focused.
End on a positive note: Express interest in further discussion.
Find academic careers and tips on www.AcademicJobs.com
