The cover letter is an essential part of the recruitment process. But more and more companies are choosing to do away with it. They are no longer convinced that it adds value and prefer alternative ways to assess a candidate’s motivations. So, what have we got against the cover letter? And if you are applying for a position that still requires one, how can you stand out with a good cover letter?

Why does the cover letter get such bad press?

Too many cover letters are impersonal

If recruiters are to be believed, all cover letters are the same. They all contain the same hook lines and a standard pitch that does not give us the real motivations, aspirations and outstanding characteristics of a candidate. But rather than hastily coming to the conclusion that candidates have become lazy, perhaps we should take a closer look at the job market.

Competition is tough and job hunting can sometimes be a real obstacle course. Some people send dozens or even hundreds of applications per month to increase their chances of getting a job. This phenomenon affects young people disproportionately. They do not necessarily take the time to personalise their cover letters, instead preferring to download a template they find online.

And since ****ChatGPT has become accessible to the general public, some people are quick to entrust the writing of their letters to AI. All this makes for a glaring lack of personalisation. For this reason, some organisations, in particular start-ups, have taken to using other methods to assess candidates’ motivations (such as a questionnaire).

Recruiters don’t have time to read cover letters

As contradictory as this may seem, many companies still ask for a cover letter, even though the people in charge of recruitment don’t have time to read them. This is especially true when the recruiter is managing twenty positions and receives hundred of applications for each one. This is exacerbated when that same recruiter has to conduct job interviews. When the process is internalised and the RH department takes charge, availability is even lower because they have other tasks to perform: onboarding, talent management, payroll…

Faced with this, you might be wondering whether it is still worth putting in the effort to write a cover letter. For our recruitment experts, it is clear that if you really are interested in a position and if the company wants one, you need to send one. This is even more important when the percentage of standardised letters is so high that a well-written and personalised letter can help you to stand out from the crowd and make a difference. This advice also applies in situations where no cover letter is required: if the position has caught your eye and you dream of joining a particular company, it is a bonus that can boost your application.

How to write a cover letter that stands out from the crowd

Choose a hook that catches the eye

The recruiter only has a few seconds of attention to give to cover letters. This makes the first sentence crucial, because this will convince him or her whether to read on or not. Overly formal ****hooks such as “With two years of experience in finance…” are quite cold and overused, so you may prefer to opt for a more conversational approach, without being “too direct”.

Rather than writing things that the recruiter already knows, opt for an opening sentence that offers new information. For example, why not say come out of the gate explaining why you want to join the company or get the job? Is it because you are sensitive to the company values? Is the position part of a project that is meaningful to you? Remember that you will benefit from being sincere.

Link your experience to the skills and responsibilities of the position

The recruiter has already browsed your CV. You don’t have to summarise it again in your cover letter. You must convince the recruiter that you have the background to succeed in the job in question. To do this, it is essential to draw a parallel between your experience, your skills and those the company is looking for.

Take the time to identify the key skills needed for the position and the main tasks. Then, analyse your career path. What did you do in your previous jobs that allows you to say that you are competent or have the potential to succeed in this one? For example, if in the past you had to build your own team (identify needs, the number of recruits, define the budget…), you know how to be autonomous, responsible and start from a blank sheet. You will therefore be comfortable joining a company undergoing transformation.

Show who you are and why you are applying for this job

When reading your CV, the recruiter knows the choices you have made. However, what he or she doesn’t know is why you made these choices. What prompted you to work for such and such a company? Why did you choose to freelance for a while? You can explain your choices and what you have learned from them in your cover letter.

Remember to also talk about your personal and leisure projects, explaining what they have brought you and what you like about them. Personal experiences shape the person you are, and allow the recruiter to get to know you better.

Finally, talking about yourself also means talking about your professional aspirations. Why do you want to join this particular company? Where do you see yourself in a few years? How could the position and the company help you achieve your goals? What projects would you like to lead with them?

Stick to the rules when it comes to the format of the cover letter

Finally, as you make your letter personal, you still need to remember some basic rules. The most important thing is that your cover letter should fit on one page maximum. Getting straight to the point is recommended. Recruiters appreciate candidates who make the effort to organise information.

Prefer short sentences to long sentences. Keep the style simple. The keywords contained in the ad must appear in your cover letter (and especially in your CV), because many recruitment software tools filter applications by keywords.

Finally, adapt your style to the position you are aiming for. For example, if you are applying for a position as a lawyer, follow a more classic and conventional format.

What are the alternatives to the cover letter?

The cover e-mail

A cover e-mail is more likely to be read than a cover letter. Shorter and more concise, it has to answer three questions:

• What is your most notable experience related to the job?

• What are your strengths?

• What attracts you to the position?

Just like the cover letter, include keywords from the ad. Choose the right moment to send your e-mail. Ideally, avoid sending it at night, over the weekend or on a Friday afternoon. If you do, your mail could get lost in the flood of messages to open on Monday morning.

The cover video

Rather than writing a cover letter, why not introduce yourself directly on camera? For the recruiter, this format has the advantage of conveying additional and more accurate information than you can get across in writing. Non-verbal communication (posture, facial expressions) will gives him or her clues about your personality. By putting a face to a name, the recruiter is also more likely to remember you.

LinkedIn description

Some recruiters view candidates’ LinkedIn profiles. If the company does not require a cover letter, remember to complete your LinkedIn intro by specifying your career project and your motivations.

Assessment tools to evaluate personality and motivations

In some cases, companies prefer to rely on assessment tools to evaluate candidates’ motivations and personality. They answer some questions in a few minutes and the analysis report is automatically generated. This saves time and is a useful tool for companies and applicants.

To conclude, while fledgling companies and start-ups seem to be abandoning the cover letter, it is too early to pronounce its definitive demise. In particular, in so-called “conventional” careers such as finance, law or accounting, companies and recruiters continue to ask for one (even if they do not always read them).

Rather than trying to send as many applications as possible while neglecting the quality of the cover letter, perhaps it is a better idea to choose the ads that really attract you and take some time to hone your cover letters.