What is a cover letter and why are they important?

A cover letter accompanies your CV as part of most job applications. It provides the hiring manager with further detail on how your skill set aligns with the role, what you can bring to the team and why you want the position. Cover letters also allow the recruiter and hiring manager to develop a better understanding of your suitability for a position.

Your cover letter will often make the first impression in the mind of a hiring manager, making it an essential part of your application. In addition to this, employers tend to favour CVs that are accompanied by a cover letter and will often specifically request one as a mandatory requirement to apply for their vacancies.

In this ultimate guide to cover letters, we’ll be discussing the following topics:

What cover letters are
How to write a cover letter
What traits and attributes your cover letter should include to stand out
A cover letter template for you to use in your next application

What is a CV cover letter?

A cover letter is a one-page document addressed to the interviewer or hiring manager that includes your contact details, the role you are applying for and further detail surrounding the information in your CV.

2. Outline your current job situation and why you want to move on – don’t be negative

If you are between jobs or have employment gaps, ensure you are upfront as to why you have been out of employment previously.

4. State why you are interested in working for them

If you need help defining your career goals, read our latest article .

10. End by expressing interest in further dialogue

If you don’t hear back, send a follow-up email .