Handwritten Or Printed Cover Letter? HR Advices on Which One To Use

By Jane Gakaria,
A cover letter is a document that is individual to you and the job you’re applying for. A good one can differentiate your resume from the countless others that pass across your employer’s desk. Making it stand out becomes very essential, and not just because of the content and formatting but also if it is handwritten or printed. Both are equally acceptable but opinion is still divided on the issue. So which is better?

Speaking to Mr. Martin Githaiga, a HR Officer with Corporate Staffing Services he says printed cover letters are the most preferred. “ A lot of employers prefer printed cover letters since they look more professional. Plus one can easily make any corrections or updates easily since you have it on soft copy and can print however many copies you wish in one go unlike handwritten ones.”

So are hand written applications common? “Well I’ve seen my fair share of handwritten CVs but those are rare but in the case of cover letters, yes those are quite common”, he says that as he points to a whole stash of them on the side of his desk.

And does he approve of them? “No I totally don’t. Cover letters as far as I’m concerned should be printed since we’re in the digital era. Hand written ones are regarded as a big no-no. Besideshand written ones cause a lot of problems especially if the handwriting isn’t legible.”

Are there any instances whereby handwritten CVs are appropriate? Yes there are 3 special circumstances where they are approved. One, when dealing with unskilled or semi-skilled labour.“These would be the likes of house helps, grass cutters, ‘shamba’ boys or casual labourers. People seeking such jobs aren’t expected to have that much technical skills such as computer basics and may not know how to necessarily type.” So a hand written cover letter in their situations would apply.

Two, if the job you’re applying for requires or asks you to do so. Jobs under this would be the likes of short hand secretaries. “These are people whose main job purpose is to take minutes or notes during meetings and press conferences. If your applying for such a vacancy then it would be necessary to send the hand written cover letter as your handwriting would act as the test, to whether you will be hired or not.”

Three, it is a new hiring concept. “I know of oneinternational company in Kenya which even takes employees prints and handwritten applications as part of their bio data information.” The employers use graphologists (hand writing experts) to ‘read’ the employees handwriting as it is believed toshow the employee’s true values and personality which may not show on the surface.

Is it that really practical? I enquire. He admits it isn’t and that this method is mostly favoured by western nations and may be too far-fetched for the Kenyan scenario to ever try and fully implement. “Besides a lot of Kenyans are hired by the informal sector so to expect employers from there to use such tactics is highly unrealistic.”

His parting shot? Unless you have been specifically asked for a hand written cover letter by the job, avoid it at all costs.“I hear job seekers complaining all the time about not getting jobs but it could very well be that it is their handwritten applications hindering them. When you send in such an application it gives the employer the perception that you lack initiative, effort and are simply lazy. And who would want to hire a person like that?”

In conclusion, job seekers ought to realize that the world owes you nothing. Just because you have a degree or diploma doesn’t make you the best. Out here is survival for the fittest so do as required to give yourself an edge. And no matter the job, do a proper application like you would for the best job in the world ever.

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