Let me guess, you have finally made up your mind to apply for the job of your dream. Or, more realistically, you have found a position that might be the right one for you. Your CV is ready, someone important has written a letter of recommendation for you, but, at a certain point, you noticed that the application also requires a cover letter.
Especially if you are a recent graduate – and, thus, a novice job seeker – a thousand of questions could come to your mind… above all, what is a cover letter? Because, clearly, it is not a CV and, although it is a letter, it is not the letter of recommendation that your mentor should write for you.

So, what is a cover letter?

Also known as a motivational letter (but this term is preferred for student programs’ admission), the cover letter is a document that explains why you are the best candidate for a specific position. To be more precise, it is a letter written in your own hand and – as the term “cover” suggests – it usually works as an introduction to your CV and the other documents attached to it.

Now, imagine your job application as a cake you will deliver to the employer: your CV is the sponge cake, the recommendation letter is the cream and the cover letter is the final topping you must add to it. Let’s face it clearly: how many times a dessert caught your attention because it looked really appetizing and flavourful? The main aim of your cover letter is exactly the same as a cake decoration: it must make your CV engaging and attract the readers’ attention in an intelligent way.

So, are you ready to write the best cover letter ever? Below are three essential tips to nail it.

Manners!

Good manners are often underestimated. If it is called “cover letter” it means that it must have a recipient and that you must end it with an appropriate closing salutation, such as “Best regards”, “Regards”, Respectfully”, etc. (in formal letters, you always capitalize the first word of the salutation formula).
You have also to realize that you cannot write a standard cover letter to be used for any job application. Rather, you must write a document specifically tailored for the kind of position and institution you are going to apply for.
Of course, this must also affect the tone and the style you should employ. Applying for a young, innovative startup by addressing the letter “To Whom It May Concern”, it might make you look a bit “old style” or even ridiculous. Conversely, if the letter is for a position within a prestigious university, addressing the letter to just one professor, could be a bit “insensitive”, since most of the time it will be a team of several people to judge your suitability. Some experts, in this regard, suggest using something like “Dear staff members”.

Templates are for losers

If you are applying for a very competitive position, you must realize that you have to stand out. Nothing is more boring than a prefabricated cover letter barely personalized.
Especially if you are applying for a creative job concerning your writing skills, or a position within a prestigious university, the cover letters must be meant as a document to show something about you and your skills.
Also, I have to give you some sensational news: you are not the only one able to open Google and search for “cover letter sample” or “cover letter template”. Trust me, the risk that your cover letter will look too similar to hundreds of others letters is quite realistic. And if that were to happen, you might look clichéd, immature and, in the worst cases, even incompetent. In other words, not the ideal candidate.
Now, I am going to tell you a secret. Do you know how long the commission will spend evaluating your letter? Well, less than one minute. By using a prefabricated document downloaded from the web you are practically showing that you can’t even write a letter to describe your best skills. It is therefore very likely that you will be discarded.
Rather, use your English skills to write an original document perfectly tailored for the job position you are going to apply for. And, remember, if you need help, Ludwig.guru is here to help you!

Be smart, original, clear and, above all…

Keep in mind that the cover letter is a document written for a very specific audience. It is not an essay in which you have to express your feelings and emotions. It is a tool that helps you communicate why and how you are the best candidate for that position. In other words, the letter should not revolve about you and how good you are, but around why and how you can be useful to your potential employers and integrate with their team.
So, do as much research as possible to understand what kind of institution you are applying for. Are they young and innovative? Or traditionalist and formal? Do they care about the rights of minorities and women? How does your contribution might help your employer achieve their goals?
In conclusion, tailor your letter keeping in mind your audience. As I already told you, the cover letter can be compared to a cake decoration: if you realized that your potential employers really like chocolate, do not serve them a vanilla topping.
Good luck!