How to review a cover letter as an employer

As an employer, knowing how to review a cover letter properly is crucial as it is one of the first screenings in the hiring process.

1 Minute Breakdown

Reviewing cover letters and resumes is difficult, especially if many people apply for one of your open positions.

A good cover letter makes an eligible candidate stand out from other applicants. When reviewing the cover letter, you should identify the candidate’s reason for wanting to work for your company.

The tone of the cover letter should be professional, and the spelling should be clear, with no typos or any errors in spelling.
In the cover letter, the candidate should state that he understands the job requirements and that he has the qualifications necessary to fulfill those requirements.

In the following article, we’ll detail some tips on how to review a cover letter as an employer – as best as possible. The main topics of this article are:

• Why are cover letters essentials?
• What should a cover letter say?
• What should an employer look for in a cover letter?
• Should you take into consideration someone with a bad cover letter?
• What makes a cover letter bad?

Why are cover letters essential for an employer?

A cover letter is more personal than a CV and will help the employer learn more than just a resume. Analyzing resumes is an important first step in any recruiting process because it helps the employer identify skills and experiences that are relevant to the position.

Reviewing cover letters is essential in finding the right candidate for the position you listed. Examining a cover letter should allow the employer to learn more about the candidates’ skills, abilities, credentials, and experiences.

A cover letter is an essential step of a job application since it provides a company with the candidate’s justifications for applying and showcases their relevant abilities and experiences.

What should a cover letter say?

From an employee’s perspective, writing a cover letter is a must for many job applications as it will allow him to stand out from other candidates and will give a personal touch to his application.

A cover letter should provide information about a candidate’s motives for applying for the job, their understanding of the position and its requirements, and how they would fit into your business’s culture.

A cover letter is an opportunity for the candidate to demonstrate their suitability for the job and to differentiate themselves from other applicants.

What should an employer look for in a cover letter?

Here are some essential things you should consider when reviewing a cover letter:

• Clarity: The cover letter should be straightforward and easy to understand, with concise language and no errors or typos.
• Motivation: The applicant should be able to motivate why he applied for the position and why he considers he would be a good fit for your company.
• Relevance and design: The cover letter should indicate that the candidate understands the requirements for the job, and the letter shouldn’t be general – it should be designed for the specific job he is applying for.
• Professionalism: The letter’s tone should be professional and formatted according to standard business letter guidelines.

A good cover letter should demonstrate that the applicant understands what is required of him and has the skills and experience necessary to succeed in the role. A well-written cover letter should help the applicant stand out.

Should you take into consideration someone with a bad cover letter?

A cover letter represents the “first interview” someone has with a company and is the first opportunity for the hiring manager to get to know the candidate. A good cover letter will assist the candidate in making a good first impression and getting invited for an interview. On the other hand, a weak cover letter might instantly cause the applicant to be rejected.

A bad cover letter usually means that the candidate didn’t take the time to prepare it properly. Indeed, many people don’t know how to write a cover letter, but if they genuinely want to be part of your company, they should put in some effort.

A poor cover letter indirectly implies that the candidate doesn’t take the job application too seriously or lacks the necessary skills for the position in question.

What makes a cover letter bad?

Some examples of extremely bad cover letters can be found in this article.

Here are some cover letter mistakes that increase the candidate’s chances of being rejected:

• Grammatical errors and misspellings: When a candidate has errors or misspellings in his cover letter, it can only mean one of two things: he didn’t proofread his cover letter, or he has a problem with written communication – in general.
• Poor tone: The general tone of the cover letter should display the candidate’s enthusiasm for the position. Professional language should be used. The overall tone of the cover letter should be positive and professional.
• Inappropriate length: The cover letter should not be overly brief or lengthy. Nobody will read a document that is more than two pages. An ideal size should be half a page to a page and should have at least three paragraphs. Words-wise – 250 to 400 is an optimal amount.
• Unnecessary information: Too much information can be distracting, even if related to the candidate’s qualifications. The letter should highlight the applicant’s skills briefly.

All in all, when reviewing a cover letter, you should always check the spelling, tone, length, and motivation. A good cover letter should be maximum 1-2 pages long, and the tone should be positive and professional. The cover letter needs to contain a summary of the candidate’s skills and qualifications and the reasons behind his application. If the candidate fits your requirements and has a solid resume and cover letter, it is best to schedule an interview.