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How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job

35 points by modinfo 4y ago

BazookaMusic 4y ago
All of the things mentioned as requirements for the cover letter are stuff you'd add to your CV in short form. Why companies require the ritual of writing the same things in prose addressed to the company is beyond me. I'd understand it if the cover letter was the place to write your unique motivation and what makes you stand out, but this article confirms it's just bureaucratic nonsense.
- radiojasper 4y ago
  A good cover letter is easier to scan than a CV and therefore makes the work of the person having to read all these applications a lot easier. Simply put: if your cover letter sucks, there's no need to read your CV - and they won't.
  - zahrc 4y ago
    The author seems to be British (mentioning GCSEs) and I always thought that cover letters are not really used anymore. Anywhere I applied, about 3 years back, most of the recruitment agencies and job listings used those janky auto-fill CV forms. I am a bit confused about the importance of cover letters anyway. Back in Germany, a good cover letter is the first step through the door, but I always assumed through experience, that in the UK it’s usually not really used even - especially not in paper form. Anyway, I might have to apply for new jobs soon, so I’ll take any advice and go any extra mile I possibly can.
    - anta40 4y ago
      An Indonesian here. If you apply for a job through recruiting platforms, you'll find some companies still require you to submit your cover letter as well as your CV. Perhaps those see CV and cover letter are different. Cover letter summarizes why you are fit for the job. Then if you need the details/supporting facts, then see the CV.
eh9 4y ago
No one should have to write cover letters. The model filtering your resume doesn’t care and the person who decides if you get a call probably won’t read it.
Karupan 4y ago
Are cover letters still a thing in the tech industry? I’ve not written a single cover letter since my first job in the late 2000s and haven’t seen one when hiring. Although I’m sure there are industries or cultures where it’s still expected. Maybe it helps in cases where somebody’s performance at a job can’t be easily quantified?
- ThePadawan 4y ago
  European perspective here: It varies, but I still write one for 80-90% of applications. - 10% of online applications explicitly only have one form field to upload CV - 20% of them have separate fields which most often are "CV, last employer's reference, cover letter, others" - the remainder just let you upload as many documents as you want with the expectation that at least the 3 mentioned in the last bullet are included.
lloydatkinson 4y ago
I’ve never written a cover letter. I’m in the UK which could be why. Positively archaic.
bmitc 4y ago
I have never been convinced that anyone has ever read any of the cover letters I have written in the past, including the most honestly and concrete passionate ones.
hashishen 4y ago
I have a basic template for my cover letters. Def not putting that much effort for a pointless ritual
troyvit 4y ago
In my previous roles I've read the cover letters sent to jobs I'm trying to fill. They're a useful insight into the personality of the applicant. I definitely know people have read my cover letters too, but that might be due to the size of the companies I apply to for jobs. More importantly though when I take a lot of time on a cover letter it helps uncover why I'm applying for a job in the first place, and sometimes shows me why I actually _shouldn't_. It might seem like a useless exercise but putting thought into a cover letter helps you decide if it's the right job for you and also sets a theme that you can follow through the rest of the interview process if you want. If you're able to say something like, "As I mentioned in my cover letter ..." in your interview then people get a sense of continuity in their interactions with you, and it also underscores your seriousness with the role. If you're one of those who sends out dozens of resumes at a time then of course this doesn't apply.

35 points by modinfo 4y ago

All of the things mentioned as requirements for the cover letter are stuff you'd add to your CV in short form. Why companies require the ritual of writing the same things in prose addressed to the company is beyond me. I'd understand it if the cover letter was the place to write your unique motivation and what makes you stand out, but this article confirms it's just bureaucratic nonsense.

radiojasper 4y ago
A good cover letter is easier to scan than a CV and therefore makes the work of the person having to read all these applications a lot easier. Simply put: if your cover letter sucks, there's no need to read your CV - and they won't.
- zahrc 4y ago
  The author seems to be British (mentioning GCSEs) and I always thought that cover letters are not really used anymore. Anywhere I applied, about 3 years back, most of the recruitment agencies and job listings used those janky auto-fill CV forms. I am a bit confused about the importance of cover letters anyway. Back in Germany, a good cover letter is the first step through the door, but I always assumed through experience, that in the UK it’s usually not really used even - especially not in paper form. Anyway, I might have to apply for new jobs soon, so I’ll take any advice and go any extra mile I possibly can.
  - anta40 4y ago
    An Indonesian here. If you apply for a job through recruiting platforms, you'll find some companies still require you to submit your cover letter as well as your CV. Perhaps those see CV and cover letter are different. Cover letter summarizes why you are fit for the job. Then if you need the details/supporting facts, then see the CV.

eh9 4y ago

No one should have to write cover letters. The model filtering your resume doesn’t care and the person who decides if you get a call probably won’t read it.

Karupan 4y ago

Are cover letters still a thing in the tech industry? I’ve not written a single cover letter since my first job in the late 2000s and haven’t seen one when hiring. Although I’m sure there are industries or cultures where it’s still expected. Maybe it helps in cases where somebody’s performance at a job can’t be easily quantified?

ThePadawan 4y ago
European perspective here: It varies, but I still write one for 80-90% of applications. - 10% of online applications explicitly only have one form field to upload CV - 20% of them have separate fields which most often are "CV, last employer's reference, cover letter, others" - the remainder just let you upload as many documents as you want with the expectation that at least the 3 mentioned in the last bullet are included.

lloydatkinson 4y ago

I’ve never written a cover letter. I’m in the UK which could be why. Positively archaic.

bmitc 4y ago

I have never been convinced that anyone has ever read any of the cover letters I have written in the past, including the most honestly and concrete passionate ones.

hashishen 4y ago

I have a basic template for my cover letters. Def not putting that much effort for a pointless ritual

troyvit 4y ago

In my previous roles I've read the cover letters sent to jobs I'm trying to fill. They're a useful insight into the personality of the applicant. I definitely know people have read my cover letters too, but that might be due to the size of the companies I apply to for jobs. More importantly though when I take a lot of time on a cover letter it helps uncover why I'm applying for a job in the first place, and sometimes shows me why I actually _shouldn't_. It might seem like a useless exercise but putting thought into a cover letter helps you decide if it's the right job for you and also sets a theme that you can follow through the rest of the interview process if you want. If you're able to say something like, "As I mentioned in my cover letter ..." in your interview then people get a sense of continuity in their interactions with you, and it also underscores your seriousness with the role. If you're one of those who sends out dozens of resumes at a time then of course this doesn't apply.