Once upon a time, all you needed to do to get a job in any organization was to just write a CV and forward to them, and the next thing you get an email inviting you for an interview. That was when the Nigerian economy wasn’t what it is right now; that was when millions of Nigerian graduates were not roaming the streets in search of very scarce jobs; that was when banks were the ones looking for personnel; that was when the telecom companies were in search of skilled personnel to man their operations. But today, it is not so.

Today, millions of highly qualified graduates are on the unemployment queue, and more than 200,000 are added to that queue every year. The labour market has become more competitive, and employers don’t have the time to read through thousands of CVs of applicants, so you end up having your CV thrown into the trash can.

If that is the case, then you’ve got to have something that catches the attention of the employer; something that tells him in summary who you are and what you can do – something that sells you. And that something is a cover letter.

CVs that are sent alongside a cover letter have higher chances of being read. This is because the cover letter is a one-page document that tells the employer about you and what you can do, and, markets your abilities. From the cover letter, the employer knows if you are fit for the job based on what he or she is looking for, and you get invited for the interview. A cover letter is like an opportunity to tell a potential employer why you are the best person for the job. It’s like a sales pitch.

In marketing terms, we can say the CV is like a list of features of the product while the cover letter is the sales pitch that talks about the benefits of the product (you are the product). So, when next you are submitting a CV, ensure you have a cover letter with it, and market yourself to the employer.

The truth is your CV or resume have very little value to the potential employer if it doesn’t have a cover letter attached. Like I said earlier, the cover letter is your sales pitch that tells the employer who you are, the specific position you are seeking for, and why you should be given the job.

As an applicant, having a tremendous cover letter tailored to the specific job can give you an edge, so ensure you have one when next you are sending a CV.

In my next two posts, I will give you tips to have in mind when writing a cover letter, as well as two samples of a cover letter. However, if you need us to help you write a catchy cover letter for your next job search, please click this link: Contact Us.

Source: https://iresearch.com.ng/why-your-cv-is-usually-thrown-away/

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