Cover letters are like the cilantro of the hiring world - some recruiters love them, some don’t want to go near them. They’re polarizing and it leads to a ton of mixed messages to folks looking for advice. Do you include one? When? The short answer is it depends!
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if your resume doesn’t very obviously align to the job or you have something to explain - maybe you’re switching careers, re-entering the workforce, or you’re a newcomer to the country. Cover letters are a chance to tell your story and get ahead of any questions or concerns the hiring committee might have about your experience.
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it’s required - have something prepared you can easily adjust since sometimes you won’t be able to submit an application without it.
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if you really want the job. If the recruiter or hiring manager loves a good cover letter, you’re set! If they don’t care for them, then you haven’t lost out on anything. By not including one, you’re taking on the added risk of not having your story understood and possibly getting rejected.
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is tailored to the role you’re applying for. Focus on some of the responsibilities of the role and touch on how you’ve successfully done them previously, including the impact you’ve had on the business.
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is inclusive - “Dear Sir or Madam” assumes the reader identifies as a Sir or a Madam, which may not be the case and sets you off on a terrible foot. Instead, use “Dear (Role) Hiring Team” to include the recruiter, hiring manager, and any interviewers that may not necessarily be in the department you’re applying to.
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doesn’t have to be your traditional letter! There was a job I wanted so bad that I created a website to act as my cover letter/portfolio - the hiring committee loved my creativity and it set me apart from other applicants as someone willing to go above and beyond (and I got the job)! This approach would work well for more creative or competitive roles (developers, consultants, internal communications, etc) than traditional roles (IT, payroll, etc) so be mindful of the type of role you’re applying for.