Cover letters can really grab a recruiter’s attention and set you ahead of the other applicants. The right combination of active language, key words, and a few subtle tweaks can turn any old cover letter into a winner.
The right combination of active language, key words, and a few subtle tweaks can turn any old cover letter into a winner.
Recruiters say your cover letter should be succinct and:
We asked leading recruiters for their idea of a killer cover letter:
Jason Walker, Director of Hays
Walker says your cover letter should complement your CV by highlighting the most relevant aspects relating to the position.
Ian Scott, Manager at Randstad Technologies
When Scott requests a cover letter he reads it before opening the CV. “If a candidate fails to include a cover letter (after requesting one), they failed their first test. And I bet their CV says they have great attention to detail!”
Scott is looking for passion, “if that can be expressed in three to four short paragraphs.” Ideally the letter will be contained to just one page, he says.
Tony Pownall, Regional General Manager at Hudson
Pownall is impressed by a cover letter in which a candidate talks about their motivation and passion for a particular role, and highlights the key competencies. Pownall adds that candidates should pull out two to three points to demonstrate that they have a very transferable skill set.
He recommends following up with a phone call to encourage the recruiter or employer to open the cover letter. “It demonstrates interest,” he says.
Finally, even if time is tight, get someone else to read over your cover letter and provide feedback. Getting it right can really boost your chances of landing the job.