Whether applying for an entry-level position or a C-level one, hiring managers often look for one thing along with the CV. And that is the cover letter. It’s a standard procedure to include a cover letter along with the CV even if it's not explicitly mentioned in the application process. So what makes the cover letter equally important as the CV? Let’s find out. Why is Cover Letter Important? Before getting to its importance, let's understand what a cover letter is. A cover letter is similar to an application addressed to the hiring manager. It’s a concise letter stating the obvious intention of wanting to be considered for a said position.  But the most important part of a cover letter is describing what makes you a good fit for the position, how you will add value, and how your previous experience along with the academics aligns with the JD of a said position. Also Read: AI & Future of Jobs: Will Artificial Intelligence or Robots Take Your Job? That’s the basics of a cover letter. Now, why is it important? A hiring manager receives countless applications for any position. It’s often difficult to scour through the pile of applications and deeply scrutinize every CV. This is where a cover letter comes in. It's a concise way for prospective applicants to talk about themselves and showcase their ideas better than just numbers and achievements found in a CV.  It’s a sure-fire way to stand out from the crowd and make a positive first impression. A cover letter is like the tie between the CV and the JD. The better an applicant can connect these two in the cover letter, the better their chances become at securing the position. Read Future Resume: How to Project Yourself 5 or 10 Years from Now Tips and Tricks for a Brilliant Cover Letter Now it might seem like an easy task to write a cover letter. But going by the usual template of style and word will only make it a generic letter. There are a few key ways to stand out and potentially make a lasting impression with the cover letter. Here are a few. The Opening One Liner It all starts with the first sentence and many people go with the generic route of writing their name. But is it necessary considering the name is already there on the CV? No. Instead, start with something like how excited you are to apply to the said position. Or exactly why you’re the perfect fit for the JD. An exciting opener will grab the attention of the hiring manager and potentially hook them for the entire read. Read Making a Perfect Video Resume: Tips and Tricks Write Out of the CV Many people make the mistake of simply summarizing their CV in the cover letter. That’s an absolute no-go. Think about it, if you’re going to simply mention what’s already there, how will it be unique? Instead talk about your experiences, both in work and academics. Talk about the positional requirements and how you can bring more than that to the table. In a word, show that you are above and beyond, a perfect fit for all the requirements of the position. Don’t Point Out the Lack of Experience Let's face the obvious, not every applicant will have a pristine previous experience. If you are someone who lacks the specific experience, there is no need to be sorry or point that out for that matter. Instead, tie with what you have done in the past and show them that you are excited and looking forward to the challenge of making headway in the new position. Read Perfect Resume: 12 Effective Tips for writing professional CV Bring the Stats In today’s world, numbers speak more than words. They also hold better persuasive power. It can be like the number of projects organized, efficiency created, or leads generated. The idea is pretty simple, make the cover letter as persuasive as possible. Focus on the Company The ideal cover letter should be more about what you can do for the company instead of what the company will do for you. The company already knows what it will bring to the table, instead it needs to see that you understand the values, visions, missions, and goals of the company. It needs to be seen that the applicant is equally motivated in their pursuit of excellence as they are. Read How to ace a Job Interview? Avoid Images Many people make the mistake of attaching images with the cover letter. But that is not the standard norm. In fact, images should be avoided in CV as well unless stated otherwise. There aren’t any specific rules as to why it should not be. It has long been a standard practice not to include an image. Use the Correct Form of Address Most people make the mistake of using “Dear Sir/Madam” as salutations or other random starters. Avoid these vague salutations. Instead, directly address the hiring manager by name. If you do not know who is hiring, just go with “Hiring Manager”. It's best to avoid Sir or Madam. Read Negotiating Salary: How to Get the Best Out of a New Job Do Not Use Generic Words There are a lot of generic words like a hard worker, team player, dedicated, loyal, and whatnot. The problem with these words is that everyone is using them. Almost 8 out of 10 applications will be filled with these words. The two that won’t have them will stand out. The goal should be to be a part of that 20%. Focus on the Keywords Go over the company profile and understand their industry and line of work. Every JD has a specific role and there are several processes associated with those roles. The target is to correctly identify the processes and mention them within the letter. This will easily help to catch the eyes of the hiring manager and also show a depth of knowledge on the part of the applicant. Also Read: How to Be a Data Analyst from CSE or Non-CSE Backgrounds? Final Words Cover Letter can make or break the whole standard of your resume or curriculum viate. The process of getting hired starts with a compelling cover letter. The ultimate goal of the applicant should be to give it a personal touch all the while focusing on what value they can generate for the company and a deep understanding of the role. So far we have mentioned some efficient tips to write an excellent cover letter for your CV. Hope it helps!

Most of you are familiar with writing resumes for a job application. While a resume is considered an integral part to showcase your qualification, cover letters are also equally important. But unfortunately, many people don’t have a clear idea about writing a cover. So how should you write a cover letter? And why is it so important for your job application? Let's find out. What is a cover letter? A cover letter is a one-page document highlighting all your relevant achievements. While a resume will focus on the objective achievements of your career, a cover letter helps you to elaborate on those achievements and how they can be best utilized to serve your potential employer. It acts as an insight into your personal life and gives the employee a brief overview of you as a person. Read Things to Consider When Choosing an Internship Why cover letter is important to get a job? There are several reasons why a cover letter is important. It tells the story Every person has a core value, everyone has a story to tell. Your personal life story and struggles can’t be defined by some degrees, qualifications, and numbers you put in the resume. A cover letter gives you the perfect opportunity to talk about yourself. It allows you to demonstrate your skills and choices. Through a cover letter, you can evaluate that why you would be a good fit for the company. Getting hired isn’t always about the qualification. It's also about showcasing whether your strengths, weaknesses, and mentality aligns with the organizational values or not, whether you can be a team player or not. Read Perfect Resume: 12 Effective Tips for writing a professional CV Building relationships Your employer is the first and last hurdle when it comes to getting hired. As a result, it's important to start on a good note with them. The cover letter opens the door of communication in this regard. An employer would be interested in your ideas alongside your qualifications. If you can show a similar mindset and interest, it will definitely give you an edge over the rest. Explains your references Whether it’s a multinational company or any corporate house, personal references go a long way to get vetted before being considered for a position. What's more important is the depth of relationship you share with your references. The deeper your relationship is, the better is the validity of the reference because they can give an accurate insight into your strengths and weaknesses. A cover letter gives you the option to showcase this relationship to the employer. Read Considering a Career Change? 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Factors to consider while writing a cover letter Define the purpose of the cover letter While we are exclusively talking about writing a cover letter for a job, it's not the only purpose of writing one. There are other reasons to write a cover letter like networking, job inquiry, and seeking direct mail opportunities. Whatever it be, every cover letter should be purpose-defined. If you are writing a cover letter applying for a job, you can always refer to the advertisement for the job opening or any means through which you came to know about it. Read How to ace a Job Interview? Make sure you are addressing a real person Too many people start their cover letter with “To whom it may concern”. While there is nothing wrong with it, it just shows your lack of research on the organization itself. Plus, your cover letter also becomes generic like every other applicant. In today’s world, virtually every organization has a digital footprint. It’s quite easy to locate the HR official through the company website or LinkedIn. If you directly address the recruitment manager by name and position, it builds a better impact on your part. Read Traits of the Smartest and Most Efficient Employees Length of the cover letter The job market and the process of getting hired are constantly evolving. There was a time when an organization used to have multiple physical interviews. But the pandemic has forced organizations to take a different route and move every procedure online. The point being, you will hear many people saying there is no pre-defined limitation to writing a cover letter. However, the tradition always has been to write a one-page cover letter. This is a perfect size to showcase everything relevant to your merit and job requirements. Read Effective tips for hunting jobs during pandemic Be inquisitive Don’t limit your knowledge of the job description alone. Applying for a full-time position comes with its own set of commitments. Before you write your cover letter, try and find out whether the organizational core values align with you or not. Google about the company, check for their reviews and ratings. You can also network with current and past employees to get a detailed idea about how the company is whether it’s the right suit for you or not. Read How to Restart Your Career after a Break? Clearly define your role Let's be honest, the HR manager won't have the time to go through your entire resume to pinpoint which position you applied for. Be concise and clear when you outline the position you are applying for. The perfect structure would be to follow up the position you’re applying for with relevant qualifications and skillset. Pinpoint the qualifications Your resume will outline all your qualifications and achievements. It's not possible to elaborate on every single qualification. You should pinpoint the qualifications that are relevant to the position you’re applying for and elaborate on them. This will help the employer to better visualize your strengths. Read Post Retirement Career Planning: How to pick your dream job? Proofread your cover letter This is probably a very basic factor that often gets overlooked. A cover letter is supposed to be a showcase of all your achievements and qualifications. The last thing you want is for your employer to find a mistake in it. This not only shows carelessness on your part but also sends a negative signal to the employer. Many employers discard any application outright if there’s a mistake or inconsistency in it. So, before you press that send button, make sure you’ve checked the whole cover letter properly. Bottom Line While many people would argue that whether you need a cover letter in this day and age, the truth is, you do. And most employer uses the cover letter as a primary vetting process. As a result, sending a crisp and impeccable cover letter will already see you undercutting the competition. We hope this article will help you to understand the basic etiquettes and factors of writing a perfect cover letter. 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