After your CV, your cover letter is the next most important document in your application. Employers will often look at your CV first and only if that interests them will they look at your letter. This video will teach you how to write a good letter.
There are three important things you must remember about cover letters. 1. The core of your letter is a personal pitch of why you want the job and why they should give it to you. You will use the best parts of this pitch everywhere. In the profile section of your CV, on your LinkedIn profile, in job interviews and in video applications. To write a good letter, you start by creating a good pitch to clarify what motivates you and what your best qualities are.
Number two, a cover letter isn't about you. It's about the match between you, the organisation and the position. You should constantly be emphasising facts that support that match. And three, your cover letter should supplement your CV, not repeat it. Although your letter will be based on the information contained in your CV, it should focus more on your motivation and how well you match the organisation and the position.
How do you write a good cover letter? You start by analysing the job opening and the organisation. What does the job entail? What competencies are required? What do I know about the organisation?
Next, you take this information and you use it to answer the following two questions. First, what motivates me to apply for this position? And second, why am I the best person for the job?
As soon as you have your answers, you can start writing. Here is an example cover letter by Lisa Hansen. We'll be going through this letter and discussing what information to present in each section.
Beyond the formal requirements, cover letters often have four sections. The opening is an opportunity to grab the reader's attention straight away by starting off with an anecdote or personal experience. Why are you so excited about this position in this specific organisation? Introduce yourself and hint at your qualities and motivations.
The second section explains your motivation, which you can discuss on various levels. You can explain why you're attracted to the industry, the organisation and the position. The next section is about your suitability. What arguments and examples can you put forward to convince the reader that you're a good fit? Support your arguments with experience you've gained from your studies, jobs and extracurriculars.
And when you tell them what you did, be sure to include the results of your actions. The conclusion is where you briefly summarise your motivation and what you have to offer as a suitable candidate. An original way to close is to refer back to an earlier section of your letter.
Alright then, those are the broad strokes of writing a cover letter. If you'd like additional information, you can find it below. This example was created with the Dutch labour market in mind.
If you're applying abroad, be sure to check the rules and guidelines applicable in that country.