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Why You Should Optimise Your Cover Letter

Simon Clark • 27 January 2023

When applying for jobs, your cover letter speaks volumes to your potential employer before you have even met and can sometimes make or break the chance at that coveted interview. Here are some good reasons to optimise your cover letter to help you get to the next stage in the hiring process.

 

It’s Your First Impression

This is the first impression you will make on the company you want to work for. Don’t forget, hiring managers see cover letters day in day out and could potentially make their minds up on whether you are a good fit in the first few seconds. If you can capture their attention from the start with a well thought out and optimised cover letter, you are on to a winner.

 

It Will Make You Stand Out

A cover letter is a chance to let your personality shine in a way that it can’t on your CV. Let your future employer know why you want to work for their company, how you can best serve them in the role and why you are a good fit for them. Give them examples of results you have achieved in the past and how this could translate into a positive outcome for their company.

 

It Will Compliment Your CV

Your CV presents the cold hard facts and can sometimes feel impersonal with a list of dates, previous roles and key words threaded through it. In comparison, a killer cover letter really gives an insight into who you are and what makes you tick and most importantly how you see yourself fitting into a role at your chosen company.

 

It Can Explain Gaps in Your CV

There is not much of an opportunity on your CV to explain gaps in your work experience or history or why you only worked for three months at a previous company. Your cover letter is a chance to explain these things in your own way and reassure the employer that this won’t impact your future role in their business.

 

As you can see a cover letter has a vital part to play in whether you land that job so it’s important that you take it as seriously as a CV and fully optimise it to tailor it to the hiring company and fully highlight your personality, skills and experience.

 

If you would like to discuss how to best optimise your cover letter, we are more than happy to help! Get in touch with our team here online.

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Top Strategies for Measuring and Showcasing Your Impact on a CV

by Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • 26 February 2025
If you are applying for a new role and want to make a good impression, it’s not just about listing your previous roles and responsibilities; employers also want to see the tangible impact you’ve made in your previous positions. A results-driven CV highlights your value and helps you to stand out. Here are some of our top strategies for measuring and showcasing your impact on a CV effectively.  Use Measurable Metrics Numbers provide concrete evidence of your past achievements. Wherever you can, always try to include measurable results you have achieved in the past. For example: Increased sales by 25% in six months, generating an additional £50,000 in revenue for the company, or improved customer satisfaction scores from 80% to 90% over the course of a year. If direct figures aren’t available, approximate percentages can still highlight your progress. Include Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Every industry has general benchmarks for success. Use benchmarks from your previous roles to demonstrate your achievements and always make these relevant to your new role. Have you ever met and exceeded sales targets, improved customer satisfaction, or streamlined project completion times? Even if your role wasn’t target-driven, think about the different ways you improved team performance, efficiency, or quality of service. Show Career Progression and Promotions Career growth within any of your previous organisations is a strong indicator of your capability. Always highlight any promotions you achieved, as well as increased responsibilities, to show your professional development. For example: “Promoted from assistant to manager within two years due to consistent performance and leadership.” Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills Employers always value candidates who show initiative and problem-solving abilities. Use your CV to showcase real challenges you’ve overcome and the impact this had on the company. Include any difficulties you encountered in your previous roles, how you came up with a solution and what the end result was for the company. Use Strong Action Verbs Make your achievements stand out with dynamic, results-oriented language. Instead of passive phrases like “was responsible for”, try to use strong action verbs such as achieved, led, developed, implemented, and optimised to highlight your abilities. For example: “Led a team of five to launch a new product, generating £100,000 in sales,” is stronger than “Was responsible for a team of five.” Keep It Concise and Relevant While detail is important, try to avoid unnecessary information. Tailor your CV to the role you are applying for and focus on your most relevant achievements that align with the job description. Always double check your CV or get a trusted friend or family member to look over it for any spelling and grammar errors. By following these strategies, your CV will become a valuable document that you can use to highlight and demonstrate your ability for your next role, helping you to stand out and secure your next opportunity. Need expert CV advice? We can help you refine your application and find your ideal job. Get in touch today!

LinkedIn Poll Results - February 2025

by Simon Clark • 17 February 2025
In our latest LinkedIn poll, we explored what professionals believe is the key to building a resilient career in today's ever-changing job market. The results highlight significant trends and preferences that are shaping the ways individuals approach their professional growth and stability. Dominating the responses, 'Flexibility/Adaptability' was identified by an impressive 67% of participants as the most crucial factor. This overwhelming consensus underscores the importance of being able to pivot and adjust to new challenges, environments, and technologies. In a world where change is the only constant, the ability to adapt is invaluable and often seen as more critical than any specific skill. 'Continuous Learning' also received notable attention, garnering 25% of the vote. This reflects a recognition that ongoing education and skill development are essential for keeping pace with industry innovations and remaining competitive in the job market. Interestingly, 'Specialisation in Niche Areas' was seen as key by 8% of respondents, suggesting that while having a specialised skill set is beneficial, it may not be perceived as the most important factor compared to adaptability and continuous learning. 'Networking' received 0% of the vote, a surprising result that might indicate a shift in perception about the value of professional networks, or perhaps it reflects a belief that other skills outweigh networking in terms of importance for career resilience. Stay tuned on our LinkedIn channel on 1st March 2025 for our next poll.
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