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One of the things students and recent graduates commonly learn as they go along is how to apply to academic jobs or programs. After finding a job opportunity, the student or candidate must write the person posting the vacancy, detail why they want to apply, and submit their resume.
Sometimes, especially in English-speaking countries, the applicant will also be asked for a cover letter. This is where the situation gets complicated. The vast majority of students know what a resume is when they graduate and start looking for employment; all the companies request resumes as the most essential document to evaluate candidates. However, not all employers ask for a cover letter.
The first question we might ask ourselves is that if the purpose of the curriculum is to present the applicant’s history and a panorama of his or her academic and professional career, why is a cover letter necessary?
Broadly speaking, we could say that a resume is a list of data, and the cover letter puts this information in context; but what would comprise this document in more detail?
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a document that is written to be a resume cover in which the applicants describe their skills and experiences and delve into the reasons for their career choices or studies, why they have interest in filling the open vacancy, and the reasons why they would be the most suitable person for the job.
A resume gives employers an idea of what the candidate has done, while a cover letter tells them more about what the candidate is like as a person and how he (or she) would integrate himself into the dynamics of the company or group he wants to join.
Why is it important?
A cover letter is one of the most effective ways to distinguish oneself from other candidates. In addition to learning about the applicant’s work and academic background, the employer will also be able to know first-hand more vital information, such as the personality of the applicant, what he or she is seeking from that position, and what the applicant can contribute beyond his or her technical skills.
It is a means to go deeper into the applicant’s achievements and qualities as well as to explain situations that might look bad on the resume, such as long periods of unemployment or rapid job hops from one company to another. The cover letter, like the resume, should be brief, concise, and engaging; it should only include information useful for presenting the candidate as the best person for the job.
There is no single way to write a cover letter; this may vary depending on the job or academic position being applied to. However, its most basic structure commonly includes five elements.
The five elements of a cover letter
1. The job or position for which the applicant is applying.
2. Information on how the applicant became aware of the vacancy; if it is through references or recommendations, this would be the section in which to disclose them.
3. Why is the applicant interested and qualified for the job?
4. Description of qualities, skills, experience, and unique attributes that the applicant can bring to the company and the work team. It is advisable to be familiar with the mission, vision, and values of the company to write an attractive pitch that is explicitly directed to the company or institution in which you want to work.
5. A thank you for being considered for the job and for the time spent reading the letter.
It is important to note that the cover letter is not an extensive repetition of the resume, although the skills and attributes mentioned in the letter must match those listed in it. The letter consists of an exercise in creativity, introspection, and communication that will help the employer to put themselves in the applicant’s shoes and understand why he or she is the ideal person for the position.
Not all job vacancies will require the delivery of a cover letter. Still, every student or candidate must know what comprises such a letter and how to write one to stay in the competition for any opportunity that lists it among their requirements.
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This article from Observatory of the Institute for the Future of Education may be shared under the terms of the license CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 
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