No matter what role you are after, a personalised cover letter can be the difference between a rejection and an interview.

So, you have found your dream job and are aching to send your resume in and dazzle your prospective employer with relevant work experience and reasons for them to hire you. However, to maximise your chance of gaining an interview, be sure to take a few minutes to write a personalised cover letter – it’s your chance to stand out from the stack of other candidates all after the same role.

The humble cover letter is often overlooked, however the benefits of taking the time to write one far outweigh the time that you invest in doing so. After all, if you are too lazy to explain why you would be the best candidate for the position, it is unlikely that your future employer will take the time to meet with you to find out more.

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When writing your cover letter, the best start is to look at the advertisement for the position, and be sure to understand exactly what they are after. Many ads list requirements for the position, such as:

  • Strong listening and communication skills
  • A desire and ability to learn and share your own knowledge
  • You must be used to being responsible and being accountable for your actions and results

When writing your letter, it pays to reiterate what they are saying in the ad, whilst putting it into your own words. For example, using the first requirement, you could say “I possess excellent verbal and written communication skills”.

Obviously, the characteristics that the company is seeking varies between industries and roles, however most companies are seeking someone who is a fast learner and who is reliable as the costs of replacing employees are high.

Secondly, be sure to state why you feel that you would be suitable for the role. For example, including a brief summary of relevant work experience is very useful, so that by the time they look at your resume they already believe that you are a suitable candidate.

Potential employers receive a large number of applications for advertised roles, so it is important to stand out from the other candidates. A well written cover letter is a great opportunity to showcase your written communication skills, and enables you to provide additional information that may not be included in your resume. Be sure to thank them for considering you for the role, and include contact information should they require further information. Always address the letter, and write in a professional, polite tone.

Above all, always ensure that any claims you make are true (for example, if you tend to leave everything to the last minute, it is best not to claim that you are highly efficient). If you have to lie on your application, chances are the role is not the one for you.

A little time taken could land you the job of a lifetime.

Happy hunting!