Writing a Cover Letter

Study Notes

A cover letter is an optional document that accompanies a curriculum vitae to introduce oneself and spark the interest of the selector, increasing the chances of being considered for an interview.
There are two types of cover letters: those that respond to a publicly announced job offer, aiming to demonstrate that one meets the required conditions and desires to participate in the selection process, and those that are self-initiated, explaining why one is sending their curriculum vitae despite no prior job offer.
The structure of a cover letter should include: a courteous initial greeting, a presentation of oneself, a description of one's suitability for the job, an expression of desire for an interview, and a formal farewell.
In the presentation, one should mention the job position and how they learned about the offer, or explain why they are sending their curriculum vitae if it's a self-initiated application.
The cover letter should be concise, ideally not exceeding one page, and should be written in a formal tone.
When sending a cover letter and curriculum vitae via email, one should use a professional email address, fill in the subject field, and adapt the text to the specific job offer or company.
It's recommended to save the curriculum vitae in PDF format to ensure it doesn't get distorted by different programs.
The file name should include one's name and the abbreviation "CV".
One can also include a link to an online curriculum vitae or video curriculum vitae.
The email should conclude with one's personal contact information, including email, phone number, LinkedIn profile, and other professional social media handles.

Description

Learn how to write a effective cover letter to accompany your curriculum vitae, including its structure, tone, and submission guidelines. Discover the two types of cover letters and how to increase your chances of getting an interview.