When you are hunting a job in Trinidad and Tobago, attaching a cover letter to your resume is an essential component of any application. The majority of recruiters will reject applicants without cover letters so take the time to create a document that spells out why you would be such a great hire.As is the case with resumes, there are different cover letter types, and we briefly explore three of them to see which one is ideal for your purposes. Just to be clear, no matter what one you use, never regurgitate the contents of your resume.
1–The Application Cover Letter
This is the most common type and is best used to respond either to an open position that is advertised or recommended to you by a member of your network. Follow the classic three section template which includes:
• Introduction: Outline why you are writing and use the opportunity to blow the reader away immediately.
• Body: Discuss relevant experience and qualifications while including examples of your skills.
• Conclusion: Thank the reader, provide details and offer one last reminder why you’re the best candidate.
Here are a few tips for writing an excellent application cover letter:
• Get to the Point: Recruiters are busy people and don’t want to waste time reading irrelevant information. Explain why you’re writing, mention the job title and company name and outline a reason why you deserve consideration.• Provide Something Different to the Resume: Too many candidates make the mistake of replicating what’s on their resume; what’s the point? A cover letter is your chance to include things not mentioned in the resume or at least to put flesh on the bones.
• Emphasize Your Strengths (With Examples): It isn’t enough to tell the reader why you’re so good at your job, you have to prove it. For example, don’t say that you helped increase profits; be specific. Your initiative “increased sales by 20% in the first quarter”.
Recruiters in Trinidad and Tobago expect you to format the letter professionally and include the proper greetings and salutations. Do your utmost to find out the name of the person reading the letter as ‘Dear Michael’ sounds a lot better than ‘Dear Sir/Madam.’ Learn as much as you can about the position and company and showcase this knowledge throughout the letter. Finally, present your skills in relation to what the job opening specifies.
2 – Prospecting Cover Letter
While much is written about the standard application letter, relatively little is said about the prospecting letter. Unlike its application counterpart, the purpose of the prospecting cover letter is to inquire about any available positions you’re potentially qualified to fill.
Why go down this road; isn’t it a sign of desperation?
In actual fact, it is a sign of determination, and companies in Trinidad and Tobago admire such applicants.
Most experts believe that less than one-third of job openings are advertised either in print media or online. With a prospecting cover letter, you’re letting the company know that you’re interested in working for them. Use the letter to outline your experience and skills. Without precise knowledge of what a company is looking for, a prospecting letter is much tougher to write than an application letter. On the flip side, if there are jobs available, you’re right at the front of the queue! Here are some quick tips:
• Don’t Specify: Don’t focus on a particular skill or qualification. Instead, show that you’re an all-rounder. For example, stating that you are looking for career progress gives off the opinion that you’re ambitious.
• Namedrop: If you know someone at the company, mention them in your introduction.
• Follow-Up: Your job is not done when you send the prospective letter. Wait a week and follow-up with a phone call.
Regarding format, your best option is to set it out formally and include 3-4 paragraphs. State why you’re applying and highlight why you chose the firm as a potential employer. Create a summary of your skills and outline the benefits you can bring. With a prospective letter, learning the names of the likely recipients is crucial if you want it to be read.
3 – Networking Cover Letters
The final main type of cover letter is the Networking option which typically functions as an introduction, referral or network letter. The purpose of this letter is to recommend you to an organization based on the previous experience you have in the field. In many cases, these letters are written by the member of your network that is recommending you for the position.
The Networking letter is arguably one of the most powerful because they include built-in recommendations from people you have worked with previously; think of them as a ‘testimonial’ of sorts. Here are some tips:
• Hit the Right Target: The best people include friends, friends of your spouse, friends of friends, former and current colleagues, professionals you met via online networking sites and professional associations.• Have a Clear Message: Provide a clear summary of your key strengths and examples of ways you benefitted your employers. If you want these people to go to bat for you, it is important to convince them that you’re worth it.
• Ask For Leads: Even if they don’t write the letter, perhaps they can steer you in the direction of someone who will?
• Be Concise: Remember, they are doing you a favor so respect their time by being concise. Don’t forget to say thanks!
Hopefully, you now realize that there is more to cover letter writing than copying your resume. Furthermore, now you’re aware that an application cover letter is only one option. Sometimes in Trinidad and Tobago, you have to trek off the beaten path. When looking for jobs, this means sending occasionally sending ‘speculative’ cover letters, also known as a prospective letter. Finally, you can always fall back on your contacts to help you get your foot in the door with a Networking cover letter.
