When Do You Need To Submit A CV With A Cover Letter?

By Judith Moraa
You stumbled upon a very exciting job opportunity at the Corporate Staffing Service job Website, you look at the qualifications and find that you are a good fit, the responsibilities seem similar to what you are currently handling and you decide to send your applications.
At one hand you have winning CV that is well tailored for that job and you are well set to send your application.
However, before you press the send button, do you send your CV with a cover letter or just your CV?
It’s only natural to wonder…
After all, writing cover letters can be a time-consuming task. If there’s an option to skip the labour involved in writing one, it’s tempting.
We checked in with a panel of CV writing experts at Corporate Staffing Service to find out.
Rebbecca Nyawira, one of the CV writing expert, says that your cover letter is particularly important for any job application.
It’s your opportunity to help the potential employer see that your skills and experience match what they are looking.
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A well-written cover letter distinguishes your application.
She says that before making any job application, it’s important to consider the following 3 strong points.
1. Are you applying to an employer without a specific job opening?
This are normally called blind applications or cold applications.
When applying to an employer who hasn’t advertised a role or has currently no job opening, its very important for you as a job seeker to include along a cover letter to explain why you are sending your CV’ and what type of role you are seeking.
2. Are you attempting a career change or industry change?
Let’s say you were in marketing and you now want to move to administration.
In such instances, a cover letter is needed.
If you do not have any prior experience in that field, you will need to explain your transferable skills and the motivation for your transition.
Your cover letter should help the hiring manager envision you in your desired role despite your lack of experience in that particular field.
3. Does the job advert have application instructions?
Many employer today will give you a details summary below the job title on how to apply. And this is where most of your focus should be.
When a job posting to which you are replying instructs you not to include a cover letter, by all means, don’t include one!
Just send your CV.
4. Does the cover letter you have an impressive one?
While a well-written cover letter may increase your chances of getting the interview, the opposite is also correct.
A poorly written cover letter will likely cause an employer to dismiss & reject your application as swallow and poor.
Therefore, only send one if you have the time to write a clear, concise, and professional letter that makes a strong sales pitch for getting the interview.
In general,
A cover letter is a sales pitch that introduces your selling point which in this case is your well written CV.
Be sure to edit it for typos & grammatical errors will demonstrate a sloppy work ethic to the employer.
Get a completely professional cover letter to accompany your CV before you apply for that job by sending an email to cvwriting@corporatestaffing.co.ke or Brenda at brenda@corporatestaffing.co.ke
Judith Moraa is a Communication Assistant at Corporate Staffing a leading HR firm that offers recruitment and FREE job placement. For more information visit their website on www.corporatestaffing.co.ke