Although they aren’t always required, cover letters can be helpful when submitted with a job application.
A cover letter can be a great way to differentiate yourself from other applicants, mainly when the average job receives over 100 applications. It’s an opportunity to show why you fit, elaborate on your experience, and clarify why you’re interested in the organization. According to a ResumeGo experiment, 16.4% of applicants who submitted a customized cover letter were invited for an interview, compared to 10.7% of applicants who did not.
However, recruiters might only look over cover letters after they’ve reduced the number of candidates in their pool. Because of the time it takes to write and research, it’s important to consider carefully when to include one.
In this post, we’ll discuss how to make your cover letter stronger, when it can be helpful to include one, and additional methods of conveying your interest in a position.
Do recruiters really want your cover letter?
A cover letter is only required if the job posting specifically requests one be included with your application. In most cases, if the listing is vague, it indicates that it is not required.
A strong cover letter indeed takes work, but it can also help you stand out from the competition and demonstrate to hiring managers the time and effort you put into your application. Companies frequently want to know why you’re interested in working for them, which requires further investigation, in addition to hearing why you’re a good fit for the position. For instance, you could read about the company’s mission, work culture, or current headlines to integrate specific reasons.
In the following situations, it may be very beneficial to attach cover letters:
1. When a position sparks your curiosity
Generally, a job hunt involves applying to several positions that catch your attention. While specific careers might sound interesting, they might not be as dream employment as others. For opportunities that catch your attention, send a cover letter highlighting your accomplishments and expressing your excitement about the position.
Your cover letter needs to be longer than your resume. If you have more to say, like when you’re getting ready to move to a new place or change careers, you might want to include one. These answers are often difficult to express in a resume. Still, a cover letter is a great place to delve into more detail about your professional objectives.
3. When a gap appears on your CV
You might not always transition seamlessly from one position to another in your professional life. For example, you could need to take time off to care for a family member or raise a child. If that is the case, you can address any pauses in employment in a cover letter by constructively presenting the circumstance and emphasizing your aspirations for your upcoming career move.
4. When you’re free
Writing a solid cover letter takes work, but it lets a hiring manager see how you’d fit in on their team. But suppose you’re not in a rush. In that case, tailoring your letter to the employer and position you’re going for will improve your application.
