What’s Trending: Human Skills
November 19, 2024
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Have you ever come across the perfect job position, only for you to put off applying because they’re asking for a cover letter?
Or what about having to grow your team and facing the question of whether to be or not to be that company that asks a little bit more of job seekers than their curriculum?
Are cover letters even necessary? For job seekers, it’s an opportunity to relay information that can increase the chance of having their resume reviewed and make a good impression on hiring managers, but it’s by far a guarantee. For employers, a cover letter can give insight into an applicant’s professionalism, communication style, and determination, but it can also be a lot of additional paperwork with misleading results.
So what’s the scoop on this topic across the workforce?
Indeed’s blog mentions that there are reasons in both camps why to use or avoid cover letters, but they also suggest taking a third route to have a clear and intentional process for finding the best candidate.
“Nontraditional hiring processes can give you more insight and better match your company’s methods.”
Companies don’t have to request a cover letter. Instead, they might use non-traditional options like skills tests, applying behavioral questions, or any other type of examination of their candidates. It all depends on the company’s culture and what they want to measure in their new hire.
Cover letters can be good for measuring communication. Introducing new types of interviews and tests can help companies better evaluate a candidate’s soft and hard skills without the limitations of a cover letter.
While a cover letter can be optional or not even required for a particular job position, there is value in adding a cover letter to a resume to stand out as a first impression. Entrepreneur Staff talks about how important it is to have well-honed skills to write a cover letter, as it can be a way to showcase achievements, work ethic, personality, and why a candidate is a good cultural fit for a company.
“If, for instance, you were an employer and received two job applications from two similar employees, but only one of them went to the trouble of making a cover letter, your decision between them just became a lot easier!”
There are different types of cover letters that can take a job application to the next level. Application, referral, value proposition, and prospecting cover letters can open windows of opportunity even when the doors seem to be closed.
Regina Borsellino’s piece in the Muse argues that writing a cover letter is a good indication of interest for the company–even when they say they are optional. Identifying the right person to address it to, talking about your achievements, and the benefits that you bring to the company; it all requires your research, showing dedication and how much you care.
“Only 26% of recruiters will “deduct points” from candidates who don’t include an optional cover letter, according to a survey conducted by ResumeGo. But many, though not all, hiring professionals still read and consider cover letters.”
In short, Regina talks about how a cover letter doesn’t hurt an applicant’s resume, and it can make them stand out if done right. Remember, even though there are basic cover letter templates available, editing them to fit each role a candidate is interested in is key to truly grabbing a hiring manager’s attention. People notice when there is little effort done, and a cover letter is just another template from the internet.
Now, in terms of creating a good cover letter, Peter A. Gundmusson and Susannah Snider of US News followed-up with several authorities on what cover letter etiquette looks like and compiled all of their findings in their article. All of the people interviewed came to the conclusion that cover letters are good for marketing.
“The cover letter is a critical marketing tool for the job applicant or seeker.”
They recommend following a simple three-act structure: Addressing it to the right person, grabbing their attention, stating their case, and concluding with a call to action. All of this must fit on a single page, keeping it short and sweet.
Cover letters are, first and foremost, a good opportunity to create a good first impression on the side of the company or the client. Taking them seriously and tailoring them whenever submitting an application can lead to fulfillment and stronger connections with superiors within a new career.
If you’re on the fence about writing a cover letter, even when they’re not required, it’s better to have one to go along with your resume in the event that it gives you the edge over a fellow job-seeker without one. And if you’re a hiring authority wanting the benefits of the cover letter without the additional paperwork, find an interview style or applicant test that can help gain concrete insight to your candidate’s potential.
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