There is a distinguishable difference between a CV and a Cover Letter, and all too often one is neglected in favour of the other. It is important that you treat both with the same level of attention if you are going to make an impact.
When drafting the two, remember these two rules:
- The CV is a summary of your career, qualifications, and achievements.
- The Cover Letter is your introduction to the Employer and should outline why they should choose you.
The Curriculum Vitae (meaning “course of life” in Latin) will include key information about your career history. These include, where you worked, what your role was, how long you were there and your qualifications and references. A personal profile and list of achievements are also added to demonstrate why you excelled in these roles.
The Cover Letter is a brief introduction to the employer of who you are, why you feel you are the ideal candidate for the position, and what makes you stand out from the crowd. It is important that you keep this concise and to the point. In some cases, if your Cover Letter fails to impress, the employer won’t even bother looking at your CV.
What should remain similar between the two?
They should both sound like they have been written by you. In other words, be consistent with your phrasing. There is nothing worse than a CV that is worded entirely differently to the Cover Letter. It’s a dead giveaway that you have had input from someone else.Remember that the objective of both your CV and your Cover Letter are to get you an interview – not tell them your life story.Keep the font and layout identical. If you have a border around your CV, make sure the Cover Letter has the same border. Consistency is key.
What have you found to be successful in writing your Cover Letters? What advice would you offer?