Cover Letters....The Do's and Don'ts

Let's talk COVER LETTERS when applying for a job. 📨 📩 ✉ 📧

I used to think the more senior the job, the more I would expect to see a cover letter but recently that theory was blown out the water. I got so many cover letters but there was one common thread, it was a generic cover letter, sometimes not even relevant to the role they were applying.

I am quite traditional with some things and I quite like a cover letter from a candidate, I think it demonstrates how keen they are on the job, the company and says something about their personality. Willing to go a bit further for something that they really want, dedicated & invested in finding the right job for them whilst demonstrating their commitment. Because finding a job is REALLY hard work and sometimes we forget that from a candidates perspective. But I also do not expect a cover letter when a candidate applies for a job.

So here are my Do's and Don'ts.

DO
✔ Personalise it. First impressions count
✔ Mention the company name
✔ Talk about the job you're applying for
✔ Demonstrate how your skills are relevant to this specific job
✔ Make a reference to something you've read on the company website that resonated with you. This shows you have done research and that you are keen on not only the company but the job and the culture
✔ Put a date on it, that's what we used to do the "olden days" when we wrote letters 😉
✔ And if you can find the name of the Recruiting / Hiring Manager, address it to them
✔ Add your contact details
✔ Keep it short and succinct
✔ Check to see if the company wants one before you write it. Everyone company is different and if it is an option, I would say send a covering letter.
✔ If you have gaps on your CV, cover this off so there is no doubt or reservation when your CV is being read through

DO NOT
❌ Send a generic letter in a pdf format that is basically a synopsis of your CV. What is the point in this? It shows you've clicked another couple of buttons and that's about it
❌ Check you've not just copied from something else you've previously applied for. You'd be surprised how many times I've seen it
❌ Waffle
❌ Make mistakes on it
❌ Send the wrong attachment! (oh yes, you'd be surprised!)
❌ Send a letter if they've specifically said no letter is required. It doesn't demonstrate attention to detail