THE COVER LETTER THAT GOT ME INVITE FOR JOB I NEVER HAD EXPERIENCE IN

Covering letters play a very vital role in job hunting. Although the larger the organization, the less important a cover letter. In very large, highly structured organizations, cover letter may not matter. In medium ones, they do very well.

For unsolicited applications, cover letter may be so compelling that the company can even create a role for the applicant, or at least, keep him in mind. In one company I know, one UK-based Nigerian once wrote a powerful, very daring covering email to the Group CEO of that company and he found it so compelling that he blind-copied all the over 500 employees of that company in his response to the guy just to let his employees learn a lesson from the guy’s very unusual, bold email.  He replied the guy that he had forwarded his (the guy’s) CV to his HR team to see if there was any relevant opening he could be invited for. This a CEO, a very top guy in Nigeria, that will ordinarily not read, not to talk of acting on, emails from unknown folk (the guy must have researched the CEO’s email). That is the difference a powerful cover letter or application letter can make. It increases your chance of being listened to.

Whether unsolicited or advertised applications, cover letter can make huge difference. If the opening you are applying for is advertised and expressly states that you should include cover letter, you have to create a separate word document for it. Where it doesn’t make cover letter compulsory, the body of the email may be a very good avenue to sell yourself (cover email).

I have also been blessed with the power of crafting decent cover letters, and it has helped me a lot in my career. In fact, I will say cover letter was the most critical factor that got me my best job.

I present here one of those cover letters. This is not my best (my best was one that got me my current job). But this is another cover letter I wrote few years ago that got me invite for a job I never had experience in. I just took out a couple of specific things.

 

BUDGET MANAGER POSITION AT XYZ UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA –  5 REASONS WHY I FIT THE BILL

Without belaboring the subject matter, I outline below five reasons why I am most fit for this position:

• TRACK ACADEMIC RECORD: With record of many firsts, from elementary school through secondary to tertiary institution, capping with a first class degree in economics from one of Nigeria’s most respected public institutions, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, I come with a record of performance. I have never failed in all my endeavours. This position, I believe, will not be an exception if handed to me.

• RICH PROFESSIONAL PROFILE: I am an award winning chartered accountant (member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria).  As a trained accountant, I know the rudiments of accounting. With such background, ABCs budget analysis will be in good hands.

• QUALITY PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCE: I have worked in finance function in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry for more than five years, manning the fixed assets and tax desks at XYZ Plc for four years before moving to another player in the industry in similar position. I bring this rich experience to the table in ABC University’s budget analysis job if offered.

• VERSATILITY: Let me pre-empt a question: but you didn’t have experience in budgeting? Yes, but as an accountant and economist, with modest academic and professional record, taking up a role in budget analysis should be seamless. In actual fact, I have had cause to work with budget teams in my days at XYZ Plc, so it is not an unfamiliar work. In any case, what makes a good accountant is versatility, which in all humility, I have. I am a modern accountant with no barriers. I can switch roles with ease. I am versatile being.

• BURNING DESIRE TO WORK IN ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT: I may have had all my career in the oil and gas sector, but I have always had a fondness for academic environment. I am a writer, with over one hundred articles published in Nigerian national dailies, from Guardian to Punch, Daily Trust and LEADERSHIP. I am cut out for a learning environment. Yes, I know budget analysis role is still not an academic position, but working in an academic environment no doubts motivates me.

Thank you for your time in reading my outline.

Adesare Olugbagi, ACA

Lagos, Nigeria

THINGS TO NOTE

1, Be daring. I can easily use the banal title “APPLICATION FOR THE POSITION OF BUDGET MANAGER”, but that was too ordinary. I knew every other person will use it. I was different. I came out very bold and confident. Be unconventional.

2, Sell yourself: Look, this is not about being proud, you’re selling yourself. Covering letter is a good opportunity to sell yourself instantly.

3, Use bullet-points: I love bullet-points. It makes a piece of writing easy to read. Even if the reader doesn’t have time, he would still have an idea of what you’re talking about by just scanning the bullet-points. Burying your points in wordy paragraphs exposes you to the risk that the reader will miss out key part of your message.

4, Mind your grammar: I cannot vouch that the above is totally error-free, an English language prof will definitely spot an error in it, but not a school boy, or very unlikely, the recruiter. So watch things like spelling, subject-verb concord in your cover letter (or cover email). They can easily put off the reader.

For cover letter writing assistance and more, check out our  CV and Cover Letter Review.

For more discussions on education and careers, join our forum, HOTPROFORUM

CV Review

Interview Preparation

Career Guide

Subscribe free to JarusHub for more tips on education and careers

[subscribe2]