COVER LETTERS. DO WE NEED THEM?

CV Library has recently carried out research amongst 1,200 workers, regarding “their attitudes towards cover letters in the job application process.” (Business Magazine) The research led to some interesting finds. Firstly, almost 67% of the workers aged 18-24 said that they found it frustrating to have to tailor a Cover Letter to every job that they applied for. It is also quite surprising that over 41% of this age group thought that Cover Letter’s where actually unnecessary.

CV Library found that nearly half of those aged under 18, don’t actually know how to write a Cover Letter. Maybe this is the reason why nearly 1 in 10 under 18s said that they would not apply for jobs that required them to accompany their CV with a Cover Letter, they don’t know what to include in it.

As the Founder and Managing Director of CV-Library, Lee Biggins, has commented, “Clearly, there needs to be a bit more education around exactly what should be included on a cover letter, and how it can boost candidates’ chances of getting a job. It is positive, however, that the majority of UK workers would include a cover letter, and it’s important that companies and recruiters are making it easy for candidates to upload and send their CV and cover letter during the application process.” (Business Magazine)

There are many reasons as to why you should include a Cover Letter with your CV. Even if they don’t specifically ask for a Cover Letter, you should still send one. It could be the thing that distinguishes you from the rest of the candidates, and land you the job.

Your Cover Letter is an opportunity for you, in a narrative form, to give more detail surrounding the information that you have supplied on your CV. It should be personal to the company, and should be telling the reader why you are the right person for the job. Keep it short and sweet, and try to avoid repeating what you’ve put on your CV.

What do you think, are Cover Letters important? Comment below!