JOB SEARCH Information & Resources
Charles is an HR careers expert with a strong focus on talent management. He has been an HR Director in three countries, a senior line manager and a consultant. Charles holds a degree in Psychology and has completed advanced studies in HR and change management.
Too often the cover letter is seen as an inconvenient add-on, rather than the intriguing book cover that contains your resume. Many applicants simply use a standard cover letter and hope for the best, missing out on a great opportunity to separate themselves from the rest of the crowd.
In my career coaching I like to see examples of what people have been sending to recruiters, as these are the outputs that demonstrate the journey that they have followed in their job hunting process. A good cover letter is a critical tool in effective job search.
A good cover letter only needs three elements to convince the recruiter that you should be invited for the interview:
1. Why are you applying for this role? What attracted you to the role?
If possible, it is always preferable to phone the recruiter and have a brief discussion about the role. Be mindful that the recruiter may be getting a lot of calls and you should only ask a few key questions.
If you are an active job seeker, it is particularly important to carefully craft a logical and compelling reason for your application. Sometimes we get so desperate that you will apply for many roles, hoping that your number will come up.
“The business development skills I developed while working for Company X resulted in developing outstanding relationships with the corporate market to launch new products in the XYZ sector”.
2. How do you your skills match the job advertisement?
It is important not to simply cut and paste from your CV in this section, particularly if you haven’t customised your CV specifically for the role that you are applying for. Read and re-read the job advertisement, identifying how your skills and experience match the advertised role.
Don’t just repeat the required skills, but use a brief example to support your statement. Focusing on three or four key requirements is a lot better than simply using a bullet list of skills.
3. Why should the recruiters invite you for an interview?
You always want to close with a strong positive paragraph, expecting to be called in for an interview “I look forward to meeting with you to discuss…”. You may refer to the fact that you will call in a few days, and if so, ensure you always follows up.
Good recruiters like to read cover letters, as they are often a good example of the applicant’s ability to demonstrate clear and effective written communication. Most CV’s have been well crafted and reviewed by career advisors or CV writers, but cover letters give you an insight into the applicant’s approach.
The Career GPS includes a cover letter library to easily create targeted and personalised cover letters. A good cover letter will significantly increase your chances of getting an interview.
Travel safely!
Charles van Heerden
