The successful cover letter

Focus on the recipient's needs and your motivation for applying for the position. Your written presentation doesn't need to cover everything about you. The purpose is merely to open the door to an interview. Make sure to tailor your cover letter and CV by focusing on the key points and demonstrating how you can be of value to the company. 

Unlike the CV, the cover letter allows you to bring your story to life. Concentrate on the present as you describe the key points you want to highlight for your potential employer. Your cover letter should supplement your CV by offering further insights, telling stories and expressing your contributions to your future workplace. 

It’s a common misconception that the cover letter is a summary of the CV. 

The structure of the cover letter 

Avoid traditional openings such as "I hereby apply for the position of... " or "I read the job advertisement with great interest." Instead, get straight to the point and talk about your motivation for applying to this particular job and what you are passionate about. 

You have the opportunity to contribute with your skills; both personal and professional. Feel free to describe them in bullet points and consider organising them into a few key bullets. 

Respond to the questions in the job posting by giving a few specific examples of the results you can achieve and how you would tackle the tasks in the new role. Explain what you do to achieve great results and manage tasks efficiently. Illustrate your stories with a few key examples of your past successes. But be careful – too many examples confuse the reader. 

Use subheadings to give the text a clear structure 

Conclude your cover letter by expressing your interest in a job interview. You’ve taken the time to tailor your written presentation materials. That's why you're not just hoping but looking forward to being invited to an interview where you can learn more about the job and elaborate on your skills. 

Read your cover letter aloud and sleep on it before sending it. 

Avoid overused phrases 

Overused phrases don’t contribute much, so leave out: "I’m great at keeping many balls in the air". Instead, use examples to show how you stay organised and handle multiple tasks at the same time. Avoid saying: ”I am good at working independently and as part of a team.” You probably work better in one setting than the other, so reflect on which is most suitable for the job you are applying for. 

Respect the conventions of job application writing 

You have just one page to make an impact – no more. Avoid using tiny fonts, such as size seven, or cramming the page with text. Remember, your cover letter is just a brief presentation of you. During the interview, you can let your personality shine through, provide more depth to your professional profile, and expand on the examples in your application.