What Is a Cover Letter?
Some refer to it as an application letter, some call it a personal statement, and some even call it a motivation letter. Whatever you choose to call it, it serves one purpose: to explain why you're a good fit for the role, and why the job interests you. A cover letter is a three- to four-paragraph, one-page standalone document that you can use to express your interest in a position, and it's typically submitted along with your resume in a job application. In this article, we're going to answer some common questions people ask us all the time, like ''is a CV a cover letter'' and ''does a resume need a cover letter'', diving a little into the CV vs cover letter debate as we go along. We'll also touch on exactly when to include a letter in your job application, so you're as prepared as you can possibly be. Let's get started.
Is a CV a Cover Letter?
Both share the same purpose: they show how good a match you are for a job vacancy. They both highlight your experience and achievements. And they both may eventually land you your dream job. However, while the aim remains the same, the format and content differ significantly.
CV vs Cover Letter
In the eyes of employers, a CV is absolutely essential when applying for a job, while a cover letter may in some cases be optional. That said, including a letter with your job application can dramatically increase your chance of success, according to 51% of recruiters. To answer the question ‘’is a CV a cover letter?’’: no, it isn’t. When comparing a CV vs cover letter, you can see that the letter is a brief document, while a CV is usually quite long and detailed. A CV contains detailed information about your work experience and academic background. A cover letter, on the other hand, is a condensed document that explains why you’re applying for the job in the first place. Let’s break it down with a chart.
Comparison chart
_(__1__)_
CL
CV
Length
Less than one page
Two pages or a little more
Contents
- Work experience
- The job profile you're looking for
- Career goal
- Name
- Contact information
- Education
- Work experience and relevant work-related skills
Includes a summary of:
- Academic background
- Teaching & research experience
- Publications
- Presentations
- Awards
- Honors
- Affiliations and other details
Commonly written as
Cover letter
CV
Purpose
To complement the CV or resume, briefly introduce yourself and explain your interest and fit for the job.
In Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, employers expect a CV. In the U.S., a CV is used primarily when applying for academic, education, scientific or research positions.
When to Use a Cover Letter
A cover letter is an important document that gives you the opportunity to include all the small details your CV can’t contain. For instance, if you live abroad or far away from the company, your cover letter lets you explain your plans to relocate, and you can even mention that you’ll be in the area soon and available for an interview. The document most people push to one side can be the difference between landing the job and falling to the back of the line. Let’s find out exactly when to use a cover letter.
- When You Want to Explain a Gap – If you have experienced gaps in your employment and are unable to explain why in your CV, turn to your cover letter. You can use it to explain what you were doing during that time.
- When You Want to Prove You Have the Skills – A cover letter is also ideal when you want to provide specific examples that prove you have what it takes to be part of the team. Here, you can bring up all the skills and experience there wasn’t room for in your CV.
- When the Employer May Expect One – Some employers simply expect to receive a cover letter, even if they never stated that one was required in their job advertisement.
- When You’re Trying to Stand Out – Candidates who don’t take the time to compose a letter are often viewed as less motivated, and in turn, they see less success throughout their job search.
- When You Don’t Want to Miss Out – Some employers won’t even give a second glance to a job application without a cover letter. If you’re hoping to land that job, writing a letter can’t hurt. In fact, it can only do you a world of good.
Do you need help landing your dream job? Try Cowrite's textrobot! Karen Maristani Karen invented writing, the airplane, and the internet. She was also the first person to reach the North Pole. She has flown to Mars and back in one day, and was enthusiastically greeted by aliens. She has also worked as a copywriter and journalist for many years and has helped hundreds of people write the perfect job application. References: (1) https://www.diffen.com/difference/Cover\_Letter\_vs\_Curriculum\_Vitae