The cover letter is an essential element to attach to the resume because it brings value to your application for either a job or a master course.
This letter introduce you to the recruiter before examining your resume, and it highlights your profile’s characteristics.
It is very important that this is readable, clear, mistake free, that is why you should reread it several times. Even if it is not required in the ad, it is wise to attach it, so as to catch the attention of the recruiter.
It doesn’t have to repeat the content of your resume but its purpose is just to add necessary information and give a better representation of yourslef.
It should include your main contact information (if necessary you can add more in your resume) and underline the reasons you applied for the position, possibly specifying how you found out about the offer.
Eventually, try to convince your recruiter by explaining the reasons you should be picked. Show interest for the role and be excited for the opportunity. The recruiter wants to understand the added value you could bring.
Talk about your work experience, your main tasks and the results you achieved, therefore highlight your hard skills (internship, work experience, dissertations and studies that may interest the company, your languages skills).
If you don’t have any work experience focus on what you are asked in the ad, underlining your competencies, your education, certifications or other personal experiences such as volunteering.
Mention your soft skills too, and explain them using a context, don’t list them.
Finally, emphasise what you have to offer, your best qualities and how you could satisfy the company’s needs.
You can conclude the letter by thanking for the time they spent reading you and making yourself available for a possible interview.
If you are applying for a job, you can directly attach your cover letter in the appication email text, using from 250 to 400 words, no longer than one page. If you dom’t know where to start because you don’t have many experiences or you struggle summing up, start from the job description and develop your text using the STAR method:
S = situation. Describe the situation according to your past experiences and explain how you contributed.
T = task. Briefly explain the problem, that task’s challenge that you faced.
A = action. Show how your contribution was crucial.
R = result. Conclude by describing the outcomes.
If you are applying for a master course at university, your cover letter needs different content and structure.
Show your motivation and soft skills: talk about yourself by highlighting those certain aspects of your character that complete and bring value to the master course you would like to begin; explain how that path represents for you the opportunity to become a better person, to grow, maybe you could include some of your past exams and explain how these have ignited your passion for the subject.
In the application letter you must emphasize the proactivity and the desire to do, to know and learn. Even better would be to mention some of your experience as volunteer projects or workshops somehow related.