Why cover letters are so important

Cover letters are a difficult topic. Everyone knows that one should stick to certain specifications, but often enough the applicant does not put enough care into writing the cover letter. A grave mistake - below we explain why the cover letter is so important.

The first impression is extremely important. This is true of many circumstances, but it is particularly true of the cover letter. It gives HR managers the important first impression of who you are. It is important to remember that you need to distinguish yourself from the masses of applicants. Often hundreds or even thousands of candidates apply for a job. With so many applications, the company cannot possibly invite every applicant to a personal interview. The application is therefore a good means by which the relevant recruitment consultant or HR department can sift through applicants, filtering out interesting candidates without it taking too much time.

One big problem is that many applicants see the cover letter as a necessary evil that they need to have behind them as soon as possible. This perspective must be reversed. The cover letter is your chance to demonstrate to your future employer that you are the right person for the job. Thus, we also recommend tailoring your cover letter to the relevant job. Poorly written cover letters with little meaning are not just unhelpful; most of the time they are even counterproductive. At best, with such cover letters you show your future employer that you do not give adequate consideration when it is important to do so-not really the best conditions for good work on your part. With a well-written cover letter tailored to the job in question you show that you are to be taken seriously. This brings you a lot further down the path toward your dream job.

The cover letter is a good means for employers to gain an idea of your personality prior to a meeting in person. Style and word choice provide insight into how you think and approach problems. And with an appealing design you can show that you are able to communicate properly. Distinct communication abilities are important in almost every area of the work world, and with a successful cover letter you can prove that this is precisely where your strengths lie. Some HR managers even go so far as to place a higher value on the cover letter than on the CV, regardless of how impressive the CV may be. Even if you do not share this view, the underlying consideration is relatively obvious: while facts are listed in a CV, your cover letter conveys whether or not you really want the job and have a genuine interest in the position. It is precisely this determination that is more important to many employers than diplomas and awards.