New Year, New Job.
I must have looked at over 500 CV’s already this year and a good chunk of them have cover letters. Yes, I am that recruiter that reads every cover letter because if someone has taken the time to write an additional cover letter, then I owe them the decency of at least reading it. However some of them……🤯🤯🤯
A quick reminder of my Do’s and Dont’s for cover letters.
DO’S.
✅ Personalise it. Name of company on it with job title you’re applying for
✅ Keep it short and succinct
✅ Choose a couple of things that are relevant to the job you’re applying for and talk about your experience of this
✅ Talk a bit about your passion for the company, the product, how your values align with the company (if they do)
✅ One page maximum
✅ Double check you’re sending the right cover letter
✅ Write it yourself. And if you HAVE TO, use AI to sense check it
DONT’S
❌ Regurgitate your CV
❌ Not add the company or job title to it
❌ Don’t put a different company name or job title on it
❌ Overcomplicate it, 2 or 3 paragraphs max
❌ Add company logos or change the fonts and colours to match the company you’re applying for. You are submitting your application about you with your personal brand not another companies
❌ The clue is in the name, it’s a cover letter not a PowerPoint presentation with fancy photos or visuals. It isn’t a chance to showcase your skills of Canva or other apps
❌ Don’t get AI to write it for you. I can spot those a mile off
I get how difficult it can be to find a new job but all you need to do is craft ONE GOOD COVER LETTER and then adapt it for the job you’re applying. I’d say 30 mins max to start off with, 5 -10 minutes to tweak it for every application and you’ve got that in your pocket for life.
Hope this helps!
#jobapplication #coverletter #recruitment