Do I Need a Cover Letter in 2023

Do I Need a Cover Letter in 2023

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Do I Need a Cover Letter For My Resume

Short answer: yes, you should submit a cover letter alongside your resume. Here’s why: 1. Most job openings require you to submit a cover letter. Recruiters might not have the time to read ALL the cover letters they receive, but they will definitely read cover letters if they’re on the fence for a candidate. Besides, even if they never get to your cover letter, 

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Do I Need a Cover Letter For My Resume

failing to submit one when it’s required will be a red flag. 2. A cover letter shows that you’ve put in the extra effort. So, even if the recruiters don’t read them, they will know that you really want the job and that you are committed to taking all necessary steps to show you’re worth it. 3. A cover letter can set you apart from other candidates. Imagine this scenario: a 

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Do I Need a Cover Letter For My Resume

recruiter is looking at two candidates with the same exact professional background and resume.  The difference? One submitted an A++ cover letter that showed exactly why they’re the perfect fit for the job, while the other just copied and pasted an internet template. Which one would you pick? Our point exactly!

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When Not to Include a Cover Letter

#1. The job opening doesn’t require one. Yeap, in some cases, the job description will specifically instruct you not to submit a cover letter when you’re applying for the position.  Needless to say, submitting one regardless of the instructions will not make you a poster child for dedication; it will just show you can’t follow instructions.

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When Not to Include a Cover Letter

#2. You don’t have the time to customize your cover letters. If there’s one thing that’s worse than not submitting a cover letter, is submitting a bad cover letter.  What do we mean by bad? An uncustomized cover letter, or a cover letter based on a one-fits-all kind of template that you plan on mass-sending to all the jobs you’re applying for. So, if 

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When Not to Include a Cover Letter

you’re applying to many jobs and you just don’t have the time (or creativity) to write a separate cover letter tailored to each job, then just don’t write one instead of making that cover letter mistake.

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When Not to Include a Cover Letter

#3. There is no place to upload one on the application platform. When you’re filling out an online job application, you might notice there is no place to upload a cover letter. Consider that a clear sign that a cover letter is not required for that particular role.

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When Should You Put Extra Effort to Submit a Cover Letter

Now, as we said, the best practice is to submit a cover letter with your resume for any job, internship, or even internal position that you apply for (unless they explicitly ask you not to). That being said, there are a few cases in which you should REALLY submit a cover letter—and put in extra effort to make it significant:

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When Should You Put Extra Effort to Submit a Cover Letter

1. You have important information to add. It might be a career gap, the need for a relocation, or a career change - anything, basically, that you can’t go into detail about in your resume. Your cover letter is your chance to explain it (especially if it adds significant value to your application). 2. There’s a personal connection/referral. If 

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When Should You Put Extra Effort to Submit a Cover Letter

someone has personally referred you to the company, make sure to acknowledge that in your cover letter. A personal referral means bonus points for your application, so don’t miss out on a chance to mention it. 3. You have a link to the company. Did you complete an internship at the company? Or maybe you know the hiring manager or someone higher 

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When Should You Put Extra Effort to Submit a Cover Letter

up the ranks outside of work. No matter the case, be upfront about any link you may have to the company in your cover letter. It will probably do your application good or at least show those reading it that you’re transparent. 4. It’s your dream job. Without making it a love letter to the company, use your cover letter to express what this job 

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When Should You Put Extra Effort to Submit a Cover Letter

means to you professionally and how it’ll help you thrive. Passion goes a long way!

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6 Tips For a Perfect Cover Letter

The bottom line? Overwhelmingly, a cover letter is an essential part of your job application and you should include one with your resume. So, as you can imagine, your cover letter should be on par with your resume. Before you start writing your cover letter, here are a few tips to make the process easier for you: 1. Keep it short. One page is 

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6 Tips For a Perfect Cover Letter

more than enough when it comes to cover letters. Actually, the optimal length for a cover letter is between 250-400 words long. 2. Follow submission instructions. In the job description, look out for specifics on the cover letter format (Word or PDF), fonts and margins, and content (such as which sections or 

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6 Tips For a Perfect Cover Letter

information to include). 3. Proofread your cover letter. Once you’re done writing, make sure your cover letter doesn’t have any grammar or spelling mistakes. Use spell check software such as Grammarly to be on the safe side. 4. Avoid cliches. Saying you’re a “great team player” or “effective communicator” will get you nowhere. Instead, 

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6 Tips For a Perfect Cover Letter

aim to show it by backing it up with your experience. Think, “I’m a great communicator” versus “I’m a great communicator, having closed 50+ sales per month at my last job.” 5. Enhance your personal brand. Opt to use the same fonts, margins, colors, and style in both your resume and cover letter. In this way, you can 

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6 Tips For a Perfect Cover Letter

highlight your personal brand and make more of an impression on the hiring manager. 6. Use action verbs. To make your achievements stand out, use action verbs. So, instead of repeating “I was responsible for” or “I was in charge of,” you can use action verbs such as “managed” or “coordinated.”

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