The Cover Letter

Formal Structure

The cover letter is a business document that should be governed by the standards of classic corporate communication.

Although the tone may vary according to the culture of the company, the structure should maintain a professional rigor.

It begins with the header, which includes the sender's contact information, and below that, the date and the recipient's information.

It is essential to address the letter to a specific person whenever possible; if the name is unknown, the position should be used, such as "Director of Recruitment" or "Head of the Engineering Department", avoiding excessively generic formulas such as "To whom it may concern".

The body of the letter should be concise, ideally no longer than one page. The first paragraph acts as an introduction, clearly stating the purpose of the letter and the specific position for which you are applying.

A common mistake is to ramble in the opening; clarity is synonymous with respect for the reader's time.

If it is a self-candidacy or an advertisement, this is the time to mention it to contextualize the reading from the first line.

Persuasive content

The letter should not be a narrated repetition of the resume, but a sales pitch that connects the dots between past experience and the company's future needs.

In the central body, the "why" of the candidacy should be explained. This is where the candidate must demonstrate that he or she has researched the company and that his or her profile is the missing piece of the organizational puzzle.

Let's imagine a logistics specialist applying to a growing e-commerce company.

Instead of listing your previous tasks, you should write: "I have managed the transition from traditional warehouses to automated systems in my previous role, reducing shipping times by 15%, an experience I wish to transfer to optimize the supply chain in its current phase of international growth".

This approach demonstrates technical capability, industry knowledge and a straightforward value proposition.

It is about going beyond hard skills and showing business acumen and genuine enthusiasm for the project.

Call to action

The closing of the letter is as important as the opening; communication should not be allowed to die with a simple "Yours sincerely".

A clear and professional call to action should be included that invites you to the next step: the interview.

Phrases such as "I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience can contribute to the team's goals" show proactivity and confidence.

Finally, close with a formal farewell ("Cordially" or "Yours sincerely") and signature.

If the submission is digital, sufficient space should be left between paragraphs to make it easier to read on screen.

In addition, it is crucial to explicitly mention that the resume or any other relevant document (portfolio, references) is attached to guide the recruiter to detailed evidence of the competencies mentioned.

Summary

The cover letter should respect formal corporate standards and be addressed, if possible, to a specific person. It is essential to maintain a clear structure, avoiding initial digressions to show respect for the reader's time.

This document should not repeat the resume, but act as a persuasive sales pitch. The candidate should demonstrate prior research, connecting their past experience with the future needs of the company to show real value.

The closing requires a clear and professional call to action that invites the interview. It should end formally and mention attachments, guiding the recruiter to detailed evidence of competencies.