Curriculum VitaeThe cover letter

Deliver reasons as an applicant or leave them out?

According to some, the cover letter is a secondary matter, because, allegedly, only the CV is important. However, this letter gives HR staff the opportunity to quickly rule out any potential doubts about an applicant. It gives an insight into whether the applicant has understood the content of the job on offer, whether they have informed themselves about the company and the industry, and whether they are aware of the professional requirements. The cover letter’s aim therefore lies in proving that the applicant doesn’t have an entirely wrong idea or that the application does deserve to be looked at more closely by the HR manager.

The cover letter is important for two reasons.

If the HR staff has its doubts, the cover letter allows them to examine whether the applicant possesses the necessary competences.

Above all, the individuals responsible for hiring staff will closely analyse whether the applicant’s qualification profile matches the requirements for the job. When writing the cover letter, the applicant should especially demonstrate knowledge of the respective company; this then serves to develop their own arguments. They should clearly state why they are applying, what interests them about the job opening, and what motivates them to join the employee group. This does not present a complicated task, assuming that the applicant has completed the necessary vocational training and possesses a profile that matches the job.

You, me, us

The cover letter’s structure should follow the traditional three parts of “you, me, us”. The first paragraph states the reasons for the applicant’s interest in the company. The second section depicts the usefulness of the specific competences that the applicant can contribute. In the “we” part, the applicant comments on the future cooperation.

Additionally, the applicant should make sure that their cover letter doesn’t simply describe the content of the job advertisement or paraphrase their CV. The HR officer doesn’t need a confirmation of the information they already have. In the cover letter, they expect more specific details on the competences and experiences that match their ideas.