Tailoring Your Cover Letters to Suit Each Job

Your cover letter is your first opportunity to be heard.  It needs to be effective, and say “Look at me, I have the skills you are looking for in this role”.   Cover letters are still read by many recruiters and employers, so make sure yours is tailored to the exact job on offer.

Why write a cover letter?

The objective of a cover letter is to get a recruiter or employer to look at your resume. So, your cover letter needs to be quick, include key words from the advert, and remember – less is more, especially in the email applications era.

Things to consider when writing your cover letter:

• Every cover letter needs to be tailored for the job in question; it needs to be individual for each job you apply for. Plus, the process of customising your cover letter always makes you think about the job and whether it really is the right role for you.
• Concentrate on two or three primary words from the job ad. Make sure that every word in a separate bullet point suits your capabilities.  Be descriptive and provide specific examples.  Your aim is to capture the reader’s attention.
• Explain your interest in this role, and why you want this particular one. But remember, it shouldn’t be too long – keep it to a short paragraph. Explain precisely why this role is for you.  An example could be your excellent problem-solving skills.  Link it back to your skills, and why it would be a benefit to the company.
• Summarise your special skills. What makes you different? Explain why this particular position is right for you.  And remember, tailor every aspect of your cover letter to the role’s advertisement.
• Lastly, read your cover letter again. Check if you have covered the areas of importance, and check for any spelling mistakes. Most importantly, ask yourself “Would I employ me?” You know what the answer should be!

Stuck on writing your resume? See our tips for writing a good resume here.