Cover Letters: What Are They And Why Do I Need One?
How many times have you found out your dream job is hiring, you’ve got your resume looking fresh and updated, and you’re ready to apply only to see that they want you to submit a cover letter along with your resume?
Yikes! Forget that, nope, can’t do it. Next!
The thought of having to send a cover letter for a job application can be enough to send some scrambling to the exits, but cover letters really aren’t that scary. Trust me.
Let’s talk about what a cover letter even is, why you should have one, and how you can curate your cover letter to your dream job.
What’s a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is typically a single-page document that is sent along with your application to the employer to let them know who you are, what your background is, and how you would fit into the company dynamic. Essentially, it’s an opportunity for you to let your potential boss know who you are and make yourself stand out.
A wonderfully crafted cover letter can be the difference between landing your dream job and still hitting the job search. Personally, I love a good cover letter and I usually send mine along with an application even if they don’t ask for it.
If I’m trying to secure my dream client, you can bet I’m pulling out all the stops and you should be too.
Why do I Need a Cover Letter?
A cover letter does two things. It lets the employer know who you are and it shows them you’re willing to go above and beyond and follow through on directions to get the job done. Both of which you want to let your potential employer know.
Having a cover letter can help you stand out and a good one could land you the job. I know they’re daunting, especially if you’ve never written one before! Lucky for you, there are plenty of cover letter templates, examples, and videos out there to show you what to do.
Curating Cover Letters
Don’t be shocked but I have three different cover letters. As a freelance writer with lots of different skills, I work on a wide array of projects in very different niches and sometimes my resume looks a little all over the place.
I use my cover letter to showcase one particular area of knowledge or a passion for something. I use it as an extension to the published work I have in the niche I’m applying within.
For example, I sometimes write on self-development, mental health, and business. I have a cover letter that showcases my experience in that area and what I can bring to the table. It pairs excellently with the published work on my resume that falls within that niche and makes it looks like I know what I’m talking about (which I do).
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Having a curated cover letter just makes sense. If I only had one, take beauty and fashion for example, and wanted to apply for a position writing about mental health and self-development, it would feel a little out of place to send them a cover letter that flexes my knowledge of important fashion designers, skincare lines, and beauty routines.
That would probably get my application sent straight to the bottom of the pile because it appears I didn’t even know the job I was applying to.
I also sometimes like to write about beauty and fashion so I have a cover letter that goes into detail about how passionate I am about skincare and the fact that I went to beauty school at one point. It’s all about understanding what the employer wants to see, so customizing for market/industry is key.
You Can Do It
Love them or hate them, cover letters are important and they’re here to stay. You might as well write one, or two, or three and have them waiting in the wings.
Just in case you come across your dream job and they require one. You’re less likely to exit out of that application window if you have a stunning cover letter ready to go.
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Meet The Writer!
Allow me to introduce myself! My name’s Katy Duncan and I work as a freelance copywriter. I specialize in topics regarding health and wellness, fitness, and beauty, on my website, www.eudaimoniaeutopia.com. I offer an array of services including blog posts, blog management, social media management, product descriptions, press releases and editing expertise and I can be contacted through my website or on LinkedIn. When I’m not creating engaging, captivating content for my website or clients or contributing to communities of writers, I’m working on producing a fiction novel from the comforts of my quiet nook in the Pacific Northwest, where I reside with my feline friend, Merlin Magoo and many prospering house plants.
