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When applying for a veterinary job, financial services job, or a job at your local retail store, you are going to need to write a cover letter to submit alongside your application. This is where a lot of applicants come unstuck. It can be difficult to know what to put in the cover letter, and a lot of people end up rehashing what they have written in their CV, which is never a good idea. So, is it your cover letter that is letting you down? Let’s find out…
The purpose of your cover letter is not to simply repeat what is in your CV. Your interviewer is not going to have a lot of time, and the last thing they want to do is read the same thing twice. The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to the business, as well as demonstrating why you are a good fit for the role, as well as your interest in the company. Your CV demonstrates your skills and qualifications; your cover letter showcases YOU.
There is no excuse for poor spelling and grammar. Yes, you are not applying for a writing position. However, mistakes show a lack of care and attention, and so they don’t give the best impression. The best thing to do is to read over your application numerous times and get someone else to check it too. A pair of fresh eyes is important.
A generic CV is acceptable. A generic cover letter is not acceptable. You need to tailor your cover letter to suit the job you are applying for. Whether you want to be part of a live answering service team or you are applying to work as a chef at a local restaurant, you need to tailor your CV to suit this position and indeed the company that you are making the application too. This shows that you care about the role and that you have put a lot of effort in. It also shows that you have done your research about the company, enabling you to display why you are going to be a good fit for the team.
If you are making any of the mistakes that have been mentioned above, it is likely that your cover letter is letting you down on your quest to secure a job. Make the changes that have been suggested, and you should notice a big change in your job hunt. A lot of people undervalue just how important their cover letter is. They do not realize that this can make or break when it comes to securing a job, so you really cannot afford to take any risks. You need to make sure that you spend the time and effort perfecting it. It will be worth it.