What is a Goldilocks Cover Letter?

There are mixed messages about the value of incorporating a cover letter into a job application but we are advocates at Johnson Recruitment.

Why?

There are a number of reasons why we encourage candidates to include a highly tailored cover letter:

1. It shows you can be bothered to do so and are likely to have a genuine interest in the role. You’re not just applying for anything and everything.

2. It’s easier for the Hiring Manager to confirm your suitability for the role.

3. This will set you apart in competitive markets. Lots of candidates may have comparable or a higher level of experience for the role, so you have to put your best foot forward. This is particularly key for good roles in good companies.

Sometimes the Hiring Manager reviewing your application / resume isn’t a technical specialist, and it might be easy for them to overlook highly relevant skills or experience. A cover letter greatly minimises the chance of this happening.

What?

What to include is pretty simple and shouldn’t be too challenging to put together. We call it a Goldilocks Cover Letter: it’s about not having too much information, not having too little information, and instead, having just the right amount.

We would recommend a structure and content as follows:

Opening
Name of Hiring Manager or recruiter etc. / Company name / Street address

Part 1:
State the opportunity you are applying for + “what” you are professionally + “who” you are in terms of personal attributes.

The purpose of this section is to succinctly highlight the two keys areas that make you a suitable candidate for the role.

Part 2:
Cross-reference the key requirements of the role against your career achievements.

This not only shows that you have the skills required, but should also demonstrate that your skills have a track record of improving business outcomes.

Part 3:
State why the role / organisation appeals to you, referencing 2-3 reasons eg. location, market reputation, career progression opportunities, calibre of existing employees and how they can support your professional development etc.

Part 4:
Close with a thank you, confirm that you have attached your resume and state that you would very much welcome the opportunity to progress to having a preliminary conversation about the role.

Signature:
Name / Phone number / Email / LinkedIn URL

This should all fit nicely onto a single page – it’s not intended to be hugely detailed, that’s what your resume is for. Instead it is to be a highly targeted piece of writing that leaves the reader with no questions regarding your suitability to progress to interview.

Try adopting this approach for your next batch of applications and see if it improves the number of times you move forward to the interview stage.

At Johnson Recruitment, we always provide honest and constructive feedback, to ensure that you are putting your best foot forward. Get in contact today on 03 9946 7320 or info@johnsonrecruitment.com.au.