How to Write a Cover Letter
A cover letter is a one page document which is forwarded with your resume when you are applying for a job.
A cover letter is also called a motivation letter, a statement of motivation, or a letter of introduction.
The purpose of a cover letter is to provide a snapshot of your professional life and lure the reader to take a look at your CV.
Knowing how to write a Cover letter is very important for a number of reasons. In the first place, letters directly affect your CV open rates, which directly relates to your call to interview rate.
Secondly, cover letters enable you to tell a good career story recruiters would want to hear, which you can not directly showcase in your CV .
Thirdly, a good letter helps you to further demonstrate your experience and fit for the position at hand.
Features of a Good Cover Letter
Start your letter with a date, followed by the address of the employer, salutation and letter heading or title as shown below:
7th May 2020
Name of Hiring Manager
Title of Hiring Manager
Company Name
LocationDear First Name of Hiring Manager (or Use Dear madam/Sir)
Re: Accountant (Job Title)
In the first paragraph state clearly the objective of the letter. Then introduce yourself in one sentence or two, highlighting your key credentials and qualities that can help you excel at the job at hand. Example:
Please accept my application for the position of Accountant. I believe the job duties listed align well with my skills in accounts payable and accounts receivables (here you would have to identify and highlight the main skill or competency the agency is looking for in the desired candidate)
The second paragraph can be dedicated to highlighting your academic attainments and experience you have gathered over the years. Make sure that everything credential you are putting in your letter here is relevant to the job. For example:
In my previous capacity as Accountant at Sobiaonline Careers, I managed multiple ledgers using quickbooks whilst acting as liaison between the external auditors and the internal unit. This background coupled with my ACCA and HND certifications makes me an ideal fit for this position. (If you could highligh some career accomplishments here, it will set you apart from typical candidates)
The third paragraph can be dedicated to demonstrate your knowledge about the company, the job you are seeking and other requirements such as work location, perks among others. To be able to do these effectively, you will need to conduct some research into the company before you start writing your letter. For example:
Having learned from the job description that you prefer applicants from Laterbiokorshi, it will interest you to know that I am quite close to your office and this could be an advantage to your company in terms of cost reduction and timely reporting. It will also interest you to know that I have been known for working during week ends …. (This paragraph in most instances distinguishes you from others and makes your application unique)
Use the last paragraph to demonstrate your passion for the available job opening by reminding the reader about the job you are applying for and more especially what the job means to you and as well, indicate your availability for an interview. For example
Having worked on many teams and as a people-oriented person, I am very enthusiastic about the possibility to work with a diverse team while managing sole responsibilities as an Accountant. I welcome the opportunity discuss how my qualifications would be an asset. My CV is enclosed for your reference. (Excerpt source)
Lastly, it is important to list the employer at the top of the page and your address at the bottom of the page in the format:
Yours Sincerely,
Signed
Name
Phone number
LinkedIn profile URL
There you go with some useful suggestions on how to write a cover letter in the context of Ghana. Need someone to spice up your letter for you? Take a look at Sobiaonline’s Professional Cover Letter Ultimate Service.
