Is the cover letter really outdated?
Article
by
Benjamin Drey
le
"To submit your application, please send us your CV and covering letter. Who, when looking for a job, whether it's an internship, a summer job or a permanent contract, hasn't come across this request? And who hasn't wondered "what's the point?"
Recruitment is a complex process, where a single maladjusted cog can lead to failure. From the company's point of view, the aim is to reduce the risk of a recruitment error as much as possible. You want to be sure of the qualifications of the person who is going to be recruited, but also of his or her willingness to take on the job. And so, in a pre-internet world where postal and hand-written applications are preferred, what could be more logical than asking a candidate to express their motivation in an attached letter to assess this aspect?
Yes, but these days, we no longer send our CVs by post to apply for a job. However, many companies are still fond of this traditional exercise: so, is it really outdated, at a time when you can find a cover letter template in 2 clicks on the net, or even at a time when generative AI such as ChatGPT is on the rise?
In view of the many criticisms of the cover letter, we'd be tempted to say "yes". Candidates complain that they don't have enough information about the job to be able to project themselves into it, and thus express sincere motivation. As for recruiters, they find themselves sifting through letters that all look the same, are not very personalized and don't help them in their decision-making: a waste of time, in short. How did we get here?
A tool that has lost its meaning
The purpose of the cover letter is to give candidates the opportunity to prove their motivation, and thus to stand out from other applicants and increase their chances of securing a job interview. The problem is that, when it's compulsory, many cover letters become an imposed form, losing all personal substance: for the most part, they become barely modified variants of a sample cover letter found online.
But in the day-to-day life of a recruiter, as in any profession, time management is a key factor. When you have to manage twenty or so recruitments, more than 200 applications or 10 interviews in a week, you'll understand that it's hard to find the time to devote to such reading!
How to write a simple and convincing cover letter?
In this context, if you want your cover letter to be read, you really need to grab the recruiter' s attention and make them want to read it! To write a simple cover letter and stand out from the crowd, you can take note of the most common mistakes and avoid repeating them:
- Chain cutting and pasting in 36 applications, where sometimes even the name of the recipient company has not been changed,
- A word-for-word recitation of the CV, providing no new information,
- The false praise: no, you haven't dreamed of working in this juicer manufacturing company since you were a child...
It's always easy to say, but it's important to include elements that will really add value:
- To counter mistake No. 1, write a personalized cover letter! Take factual elements from the job description that interest you and link them to specific extracts from your professional experience. Make sure you choose those that are relevant to the job!
- To counter Mistake #2, add elements that go beyond the content already present in your CV: what are your career goals and how can this position help you achieve them? What projects would you like to pursue? Feel free to expand on personal subjects!
- To counter Mistake No. 3, don't put yourself in a position of inferiority, but adopt a more informal tone, using short sentences and not burdening yourself with overly rigid politeness formulas such as " please accept, madam, sir " or " je vous prie d'agréer madame, monsieur". A simple " Sincerely yours " may suffice, for example, but be careful not to become too familiar. Also remember to proofread carefully to avoid spelling mistakes, and to divide your message into several paragraphs.
- Our bonus tip: you can even use the graphic charter of the company you're applying to for the layout of your letter. Guaranteed to make an impact! Don't forget to give your letter a proper name (no more "LM_vdef(7)") and send it either in the body of an e-mail, or as a PDF attachment.
- Bonus tip n°2: reread your letter aloud! That way, you'll immediately notice any turns of phrase that seem unnatural or overly pompous. And don't hesitate to ask a friend to help you proofread.
In short, take the time to apply properly! Because, yes, it takes time to personalize all these elements. Of course, if you want to prepare several applications, you can repeat certain elements - you won't have to start from scratch every time! But it's essential to prioritize quality over quantity. Not only will you improve your return rate, but you'll also instinctively prioritize the jobs that really caught your attention, which will help you express your motivation in a sincere way.
Motivation is more than just a letter
Bear in mind that, whatever may be said about the cover letter, it remains only the entry point to a job application. There are many other, often far more effective and impactful ways of expressing your motivation in a recruitment process. You can write the most beautiful cover letter in the world, but it won't guarantee the success of your application!
Getting an interview is the first step. We could go on at length about this separate exercise - which we can cover in another article - but if you want to go further, we can give you several tips.
The first is probably the most obvious: make your CV stand out too! Everything that's been said about common cover letter mistakes can also be applied to CVs, so there's plenty of room to stand out! A personalized, well-organized CV that highlights your career path and includes a targeted introduction to the position to be filled will instantly stand out from candidates who make the mistake of proposing a generic CV that is generally unsuited to the ad they are applying for.
Then, in addition to your CV and letter, you can send a motivational e-mail to the recruiter after your interview to renew your interest in the position, highlighting the key points that caught your attention during your exchange. This little exercise underlines to the recruiter not only your investment in the recruitment process, but also your understanding of the tasks involved. It's always appreciated!
If you want to go even further, we encourage you to contact company employees directly! With the magic of LinkedIn, it's possible to find employees who are part of the team you could join in just a few minutes. Once again, it's a great way to show your motivation, but it's also a great way for you to get additional information that could make all the difference, with the opportunity to find out more about the working conditions that await you.
And then imagine the recruiter's reaction when he debriefs your exchange with the manager of your application: "Can you believe it, he wrote me an e-mail after our interview to reaffirm his motivation, and he took the time to ask someone on the team about it - I don't see that every day! He's really looking forward to working for us. Now you're talking!
The special case of unsolicited applications
All the advice we've given so far is particularly effective when you know what position you're aiming for. But if you want to try your luck without a job description, simply because a company inspires you, how do you demonstrate your competence?
In this case, we advise you to write a simple cover letter that focuses particularly on what attracts you to the company you're applying to. You can even go one step further by proposing scenarios in which you think you could be useful in relation to your professional experience, to help the recruiter better understand your motivations.
Also bear in mind that sometimes, no matter how good the cover letter, recruiters may still not read it: so don't be too hard on yourself if you don't get any feedback. In fact, it's a real challenge for the profession to improve the image of recruiters! At Skillink, for example, we're committed to providing a response to every candidate, so if you're interested in recruitment, submit your application in the "Join us" tab!
If you've been curious enough to take a look at this tab, you'll probably have noticed that we don't ask for a cover letter. So why devote a whole article to it?
Despite everything, a medium that's still (sometimes) relevant
As we said at the outset, the cover letter is increasingly questioned in terms of its usefulness and the time it takes to write and read it. In 2023, the trend in recruitment is to attach less importance to the cover letter, driven in particular by several HR influencers such as Karim Hechmi aka "Tonton Karim". As a result, fewer and fewer companies are asking for a cover letter as part of their recruitment process! This trend is even more pronounced in "hot" sectors such as IT.
At Skillink, as a firm that operates particularly in the digital sector, we are concerned by the gradual disappearance of the cover letter. We think it's ineffective to impose it on all candidates wishing to apply, but on the other hand, we find it counter-productive to do away with it altogether, as in some cases it can be of real importance.
Imagine for a moment that you've had a career in marketing for over 15 years and you'd like to move into a completely different sector, say recruitment. If the recruiter only reads your CV, he'll see your experience and perhaps a short 2-3 line text explaining your interest in the job. In the context of a professional reorientation, the cover letter can be a powerful ally in helping your potential future employer to understand why you applied for their vacancy! We think it's deeply unfair not to give candidates the opportunity to send a cover letter if they wish, in support of their application. We ourselves at Skillink recruited a recruitment consultant who, following a career change, contacted us with a cover letter. I'm not sure we would have understood her approach without a letter!
As you will have gathered, the aim of this article is not to declare oneself for or against the cover letter. Although the current trend is towards a decline in the use of cover letters, they are still very much in demand, so it's essential to be well prepared for this complex stylistic exercise. If you follow our advice, we're sure you'll improve your chances of finding a job you like! And if you'd like us to support you, you can also contact us directly and we'll see what we can do to help 😉
It's a question that raises many questions. Although the cover letter has long been a key element of the job application, more and more companies are questioning its usefulness.
Candidates often wonder whether they should write a good cover letter to accompany their curriculum vitae when applying for a job. Writing a cover letter can be a tricky exercise, requiring you to present your personality, career plans and skills convincingly. But is it always necessary to write a cover letter when applying for a job, an internship, a work-study contract or a first job?
The answer to this question depends largely on the preferences of the company you are applying to. Some companies still require a formal cover letter, with polite formulas and specific typography. In this case, it's essential to write a well-structured cover letter, which begins with an appropriate greeting, presents your application in a professional manner and ends with a respectful polite formula.
Other companies, on the other hand, are happy to dispense with the traditional cover letter. They focus more on the candidate's CV and skills to assess their suitability for the position on offer. In these cases, you can usually apply simply by submitting your CV and answering specific questions about the position.
It's important to note that even if a company doesn't explicitly ask for a cover letter, you can still choose to write one if you feel it will strengthen your application.
First of all, some companies attach great importance to the candidate's personality and ability to fit in well with the corporate culture. A good cover letter can provide valuable information about the candidate's personality, motivations and career plans, which a CV alone cannot always do. The politeness and neat typography of a cover letter also show the candidate's respect for the company.
What's more, some industries or positions require specific skills, and a well-written cover letter can highlight the match between the candidate's skills and the requirements of the position on offer. This can be particularly important for positions requiring a handwritten cover letter.
Writing a cover letter that stands out requires effort, personalization and creativity. We've compiled a few tips to guide you in creating a compelling cover letter:
Research additional information: Before you begin your letter, do some in-depth research on the company, its industry, its corporate culture and the position you're applying for. Use this information to personalize your letter and show that you have a thorough understanding of the company.
- Be concise and clear: Avoid long, convoluted sentences. Express your ideas clearly and concisely. Recruiters appreciate a cover letter that gets straight to the point.
- Start with a strong hook: Begin your letter with a punchy opening sentence that immediately grabs the reader's attention. Avoid clichéd beginnings and try to be original.
- Show your motivation: Explain why you're interested in the job and the company. Emphasize what motivates you to apply, in line with your career plan and values.
- Personalize your letter: Avoid generic cover letters. Mention specific details about the company, position or industry that show you've done thorough research.
- Highlight your skills: Identify the skills, experience and achievements that are relevant to the position and highlight them in your letter. Use concrete examples to illustrate your skills.
- Use professional language: Use formal, professional language in your cover letter. Avoid colloquial or informal language.
- Proofread and correct: Be sure to proofread your letter carefully for grammatical, spelling and typographical errors. A well-written letter enhances your credibility. Have your letter proofread by friends, colleagues or job consultants for comments and suggestions for improvement.
- Use a neat layout: Make sure your letter has a professional layout, with legible typography and neat presentation.
When you've invested time and effort in writing a polished cover letter for a job application, it can be disconcerting when the recruiter doesn't seem to read it. Nevertheless, we'd like to offer you a few extra tips to maximize your chances of getting noticed and making a success of your application.
1) When applying online, use the space provided for your cover message to briefly express your interest in the position. Summarize the essential elements of your cover letter to capture the recruiter's attention.
2) If you don't have confirmation that your online application has been read, consider following up a few days after the initial submission. Write a brief, polite message expressing your interest in the position and asking if your application has been received.
3) Social networks can also be a way of capturing the recruiter's attention. If the company is active on social networks, take part in relevant discussions, comment on or share publications related to the company or industry.
4) In addition, don't hesitate to make contacts on professional platforms like LinkedIn. You could get in touch with company employees and solicit an internal recommendation, which can greatly influence the recruiter's decision.
5) Finally, be persistent. The recruitment process can take time, and the recruiter may read your cover letter at a later stage. Keep applying for other opportunities, and keep an eye out for feedback on your application. Keeping a positive, proactive attitude can make all the difference in your job search.