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With such a small time window you might be wondering, "Do I need a cover letter anyway?"
You'll need to consider different factors before you add a cover letter to your job application.Connect The Dots
Sometimes the position that you're applying to and your current situation don't have a direct connection.
Add a cover letter if you're:
transitioning to another career.
trying to relocate.
explaining a gap in your resume.
There's no particular place in your resume to explain this information, so adding a cover letter would give you the chance to go into more detail.
Your Job Title Doesn't Match Responsibilities
So you've been:
✅ going the extra mile.
✅ taking on challenging assignments.
✅ growing your portfolio.
WELL DONE!
But in your resume, you're still stuck with that "Assistant" title.
The reality is that you're doing so much more!
This is exactly the kind of situation that you want to explain in a cover letter.
Show them that you're ready for that next step!
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You Have Ties To The Company
Were you referred to the job?
Do you know someone who works there?
Did you do your internship there?
It's important to mention connections you have to the company in your cover letter. It shows that you have a good understanding of the company and its work.
Quiz
Which situations would you include in your cover letter?
It's important to mention the connections you may have with a specific company in a cover letter,. Given that your application will come in with a bunch of other applications, it's your opportunity to stand out.
When Not To Use A Cover Letter
Skip the cover letter if:
you don't have time to complete one.
it's better to have no cover letter than submit a bad one.
your resume is self-explanatory.
there's no way to upload one.
the employer specifically requests no cover letter.
Quiz
Matilda wants to apply to a job opening that doesn't specifically ask for a cover letter. She has a strong resume without gaps, and her current role title is directly related to the new position. Should she write a cover letter?
In this scenario, she doesn't need a cover letter, as her resume speaks for itself. Ideally, the cover letter adds information, Matilda should avoid repeating herself in the resume and cover letter.
Scenario: The Best Cover Letter Option
You saw a great job opening and you want to apply. You know you meet the qualifications for the job but your current title isn't directly related to the job.
What should you do?
A. Write a cover letter explaining how you're qualified for the job.
B. Write a cover letter explaining your links to the organization.
C. Write a standard cover letter.
D. Don't write a cover letter at all.
Quiz
Choose the best option
Your focus is to explain why you're qualified for the job. While having a link to the company is important to mention, in this case showing how your current job and qualifications are related to the position should be your main focus.
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This Byte has been authored by
Adriana Villegas Mayorga
Learning Designer