Anatomy of a Cover Letter

Cover Letter or No Cover Letter? The debate is real.

Some companies do require one, others say they don’t read them. However, depending on your situation, a Cover Letter could have added value as it is a valuable space to express what you can’t in a résumé. Things like:
– Why do you want to work for this company and this role?
– Why are you transitioning from a different job / industry?
– Why do you have a gap in your resume?
– Why are you looking to relocate?

Whatever information that needs to be shared to make your application stronger.

1. Keep branding consistent with your résumé.

2. Add name of Hiring Manager, Position, Department, Company Name & Physical Address.

3. Name job you are applying for, how/where you came across it.

4. Mention why you want to work for THIS company (Pick 2-3 facts about the company & why they appeal to you.) and THIS role.

5. Introduce yourself in terms of soft & hard skills in line with the role making you a suitable candidate.

6. Share a story highlighting most skills required connecting them with company needs. Give details & achievements related to the job description. You can use the T-Chart method or bullet points.

7. Say how you understand the needs of the role, how you can help & how this job makes sense as a next step for you.

8. Thank the reader for their time, say you attached résumé for review, provide a call for action.

9. Use your own language in terms of style. Paper & spelling as per country standards

10. Cover letter should be 1 page & contain keywords company cares about.

Templates have no substance and no soul. Don’t use them.

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K. M. - Canada

COO / General Manager
Rita, thank you so much for your help, guidance, enthusiasm, fabulous knowledge and overall positive and energetic attitude. I know that I made the right decision to use you for my resume. I cannot speak highly enough of the assessments that you provide, the knowledge, and helpful and patient guidance. Your professional experience and qualifications made a big difference in my resume.

M. A. - Lebanon

Ethics & Assurance Coordinator
Rita managed to teach me a lifelong skill about how to interview and level up when it comes to my career aspirations. Especially in how to answer the most common yet stress inducing question "Tell me about yourself?". She guided me throughout the process from interview to post interview to check on how I performed and how I felt after the interview. What's special is I felt I am talking to someone who really wants me to succeed!

J.W. - Qatar

Account Manager
I approached Rita during an interview process at one of the tier 1 global technology vendors. Based on her extensive experience in HR, Rita unveiled to me the tricks and methods I should adopt to stand out among hundreds of other applicants.

She guided me through a set of actions in a very scientific manner, fine-tuned my strategies and not only made them unique, but uniquely relevant. Not to mention the grade of encouragement she had conveyed to deliver my presentation and get selected for the role.

I would highly recommend Rita for any type of guidance, consultation and career advice.

F.T. - Lebanon

NGO Project Coordinator
Rita opened my eyes to what I was doing wrong in my pursuit to find a new job. She showed me in a short time and efficient way how to make my experience more appealing to recruiters. She showed me another perspective to finding a job and made me realize why I didn't stay for a long time with previous organizations I worked for. Rita helped me put things into perspective and taught me that I should appreciate my achievements and champion them in order to land the right job for me while having what I want for a job as a priority.

M.R. - Cyprus

Senior Project Manager
Choosing to work with Rita was a great decision. As someone looking to change careers, she helped me put on paper how my experience and skills are relevant to my target industry. Rita's methodological approach also allowed me to take an outside look at my career so far in a new light and reminded me of achievements I have forgotten about. Throughout the process, Rita was always responsive, attentive, and always had useful advice and feedback.

A.F. - Canada

Chief Operating Officer
Your advice helped significantly improve my interview performance and the relevance of my answers. Thank you so much for your help.

R.G. - Lebanon

Marketing Manager
I love how confident I feel after talking to you and how my story about myself gets uplifted as if I'm Chanel or Dior!

R.M. - Lebanon

Teacher
Thank you Rita so much. I enjoyed our conversation, it made me look at everything in a different perspective. You were able to make me realize how to change my outlook when it comes to jobs. I felt so confused for a while until we spoke, you helped clear the fog. Your guidance was much needed.

A.K. - Lebanon

Sales Manager
Rita has helped me in more ways than one and I found just one session with her very enlightening. She helped me realize many things I was not aware of and gave me several tips on how to tackle and improve the job search. I can only imagine how she can help when given more than one session, kudos to you Rita!

G.J. - Lebanon

Lead Accountant
Thanks to Rita’s feedback, I was able to figure out some important points behind the reasons my LinkedIn profile and CV aren’t getting noticed. Added to that, her words were much needed to reaffirm my confidence and boost my motivation. With her I am sure one will land the desired opportunity.
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