Clients often ask me if I provide a cover letter template for use in job applications, since I do provide several resume and CV templates as part of the job search process.
Although I recommend a core strategy for writing a winning cover letter, I don’t provide nor encourage use of templates when writing letters of any sort.
Here are three key reasons why:
- Your cover letter is a writing sample
- Your cover letter is your chance to make your case for your transferable skills
- Your application shows your approach to work.
What does this mean? Let’s look a bit more closely.
Writing sample
Your cover letter is your first writing sample for any organization to see. Here’s your chance to show employers how succinctly you can state pertinent information, how clearly you can understand what they’re looking for, and how responsive you are. Writing is a skill valued by many employers, and your cover letter is your chance to give the hiring team an idea of how well you’ll write emails, memos, project reports, or any other documents you’re required to write on the job.
Transferable skills
Your cover letter allows you to make the case for your transferable skills. Remember that people in many roles might read your letter, from recruiters to technical experts, project managers, or operations specialists. Your ability to clearly map out your skills against the position’s requirements allows folks across the hiring organization to quickly see that you’re a solid fit.
Shows initiative
Finally, your approach to this job application shows your approach to work overall. If you barely reheat a lukewarm template you’ve already used 100 times, the employer won’t sense much initiative, passion, nor drive in your work. Putting in the time and effort to write an original cover letter indicates that you’re a hard worker who goes the extra mile. And who doesn’t want to hire for that sort of person?
The job market is highly competitive. If you’re truly interested in any position, take the time to spell out your reasoning clearly in a cover letter written specifically for each role.
Start off on the right foot by showing yourself to be a candidate who works hard, writes well, and has the right experience for the position.
If you’d like more information on how to do so, feel free to contact me to set up some time to talk!
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