How to write a perfect job application letter: What to include in a vacancy cover letter

Learn why writing a great cover letter is very important. Check expert recommendations on creating an eye-catching cover letter and get hired fast.

Do you want to get a prestigious job, but the competition for the vacancy is too fierce? Don’t know how to stand out among the many competitors? Then write a professional cover letter. Is it worth sending a cover letter if such a requirement isn’t mentioned in the vacancy?

Remember that a well-written cover letter allows the candidate to tell about your advantages. But you need to observe the measure in praising your benefits and do not go beyond that invisible line beyond which “vanity” begins. Ambition is good for a career, while bragging annoys recruiters. So the main thing is to use a cover letter as your self-presentation tool wisely. How exactly? Let’s find this out.

A Cover Letter: What Is It?

A cover letter is a document that you attach to your resume to tell how your skills and experience will be helpful to a future employer. Most think that it is the same as the CV. But it isn’t. The volume of this document shouldn’t be longer than one A4 page.

You need to write about how much you want to get this job and tell about your skills. Bear in mind that this letter is not meant to be a repeat of your resume.

Instead, a cover letter should complement your resume and show that you put in a little more effort than others to land the position. In this letter, you can explain the break in the experience and the motives for changing your career or specialization.

Why Do Employers Ask for a Cover Letter?

The cases when the employer asks to send a cover letter are dictated by their desire to discern among the stream of incoming resumes of candidates with high motivation for the proposed job, who can “sell” their candidacy. In addition, it does not hurt to assess the presence of the following qualities in candidates:

1. Business correspondence skills, the ability to express thoughts briefly and to the point, the ability to introspection;
2. Level of language proficiency (especially in cases where the resume itself and the cover letter must be written in a foreign language).
3. An ability to present information creatively.

You have 7 seconds to grab the attention of a recruiter reading your resume. By submitting a cover letter, you show that you have shown great interest in the job, and this may be the detail that will tip the scales in your favor.

Knowing that a cover letter can make a good impression, we’ll share with you everything you need to know to write the perfect letter for your interview.

What should you do if you aren’t a great writer? If you lack the knowledge or skills to create an error-free cover letter, it’s a good idea to use the help of the professional cover letter service. You’ll get a well-written cover letter that will meet the expectations of your potential employer.

Is There a Perfect Cover Letter, and What Does It Look Like?

There is no such form of writing that would correspond to all companies at all times. However, several essential rules should be considered by those who decide to present themselves in the best possible light:

1. The cover letter should be individual. It is handy to ask a specific person if you know their name. Often, employment sites indicate on whose behalf a vacancy is posted. You can also call the company and find out in advance who is running this vacancy, and perhaps, in advance, discuss the requirements for the vacancy with this employee to make your letter even more targeted.

2. Write a persuasive introduction. You should make it eye-catching for the recruiter to read it until the end. Your main goal is to get an invitation for an interview. To meet this objective, you need to catch the attention of HR from the very first line and hold it until the end.

3. The letter should be short, concise, and well-structured. The information must be submitted in blocks, separated by paragraphs. Otherwise, the text will merge into something whole, which is quite difficult to perceive and remember critical information. Don’t write over 400 words.

It is boring to read very large texts of letters. In such cases, as a rule, you read the beginning, one or two paragraphs, and then patience comes to an end. The recruiter simply opens the candidate’s resume to quickly determine whether it is worth spending more time on this candidate.

4. If you are applying for a specific vacancy, then in the letter, you need to emphasize your competitive advantages as a candidate for the mentioned position.

What should you exclude in a job application letter?

– Biography – “I was born in an intelligent family, after graduating from school, by chance I ended up in a creative university and entered the faculty of…”;
– Boasting and pathos: “Now I have reached the level where not only interesting projects or solid financial prospects matter to me, but also the reputation of the company”;
– Tabloid vocabulary and lack of formal boundaries: “Why do you need me? It’s simple – I’m the best.”

Create a list of dream companies for yourself. Let there be a top three. Also, write that you are ready to communicate in the future. Finally, make it clear that you want to work there, if not now, then, maybe later when they have a vacancy.

5. Think as if you were an employer. If we are talking about a job that doesn’t require a lot of work experience, but a capable and motivated person is required, demonstrate these qualities of yours:

– Cite examples where your abilities helped you achieve better results;
– Mention the specific information that you learned about the employer from open sources (company website, media);
– Make a statement that it was your dream to work in this particular company, in this team of professionals, or under the guidance of an authoritative leader.

Things to Keep in Mind

Many job seekers underestimate the power of a cover letter, falling behind the candidates who use it to multiply their chances of being hired. You should indicate your willingness to come to a personal meeting at a convenient time for the employer. Say that you look forward to feedback on your letter. Alternatively, you can specify in the letter that you will call back after one or two days to receive feedback. Remember – anything you say can be used against you. Too much information is just as bad as too little information.

So, don’t repeat banal things, for example, what is already indicated in the attached resume. You shouldn’t announce your salary expectations ahead of time – this should be discussed later, at the final stage of the interview. In no case do not scold your previous employers. This applies both to the letter itself and a subsequent possible interview.