Purpose of a CV
You’ve probably heard its full Latin name: Curriculum Vitae, meaning “course of live“. And that’s basically what we try to accomplish when writing CVs – to explain our professional course of life to someone who doesn’t know us. To present our relevant skills and accumulated knowledge to serve our next employer’s best interests. Think of it as your factual database – a historical overview of your accomplishments and career path.
The primary function of your CV is to demonstrate that you meet the basic requirements for a role, structured in a clear, chronological format, using your relevant work experience, education and certifications. Simply put, it’s a brief summary of your professional history, laid out in a two-page document.
Purpose of a Cover Letter
On the other hand, the cover letter looks forward proactively, rather than the retrospective approach used in the CV. It is a tool to show and tell how you can apply your professional experience to your potential employers’ service. The cover letter is a goal-oriented document, explaining the why behind your decision to apply to this particular employer. It also serves as a valuable tool to catch the reader’s attention.
A well-written cover letter introduces you as a person, not just a list of qualifications. This one-page document allows you to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position, explain your motivation for applying, and show how your unique background solves the employer’s problems. It puts the data in the CV into a context, creating a personalised contact with the hiring manager.
Key Differences Between a Cover Letter and a CV
The cover letter vs CV – two separate documents serving the same goal: success in your specific job application process. Let’s put them back-to-back and compare their nuances and important points.
As you can see from the table, there are six significant differences between a cover letter and a CV. The former aims towards the future and your Why, while the latter showcases your past and What. The difference in the content is also clearly visible – paragraphs vs bullet points. The length of the document adapts to the information inside: shorter vs longer. You can recognise whether it is a cover letter or a CV if you just read the text and notice the disparity in the tone of voice and the writing style. The focus of these two documents corresponds to their purpose, which makes them replicable (the CV) or non-replicable (the cover letter) accordingly.
How CVs and Cover Letters Work Together
Look at it this way: If your CV were your body, your cover letter would be your mind. If your CV were your car, your cover letter would be your steering wheel. A strong cover letter is made to drive the beautifully crafted and experienced CV engine towards your goal.
Your CV is your foundation, the result of your preparation, but your cover letter introduces your aspiration. They don’t work interchangeably; they work in sequence. Just like a lock and a key, one thing cannot operate without the other. The personal details from your CV must come first, followed by the cover letter that proves why you are the right candidate.
Which is More Important: CV or Cover Letter?
If you’re considering putting effort into your CV and a cover letter, here’s what you need to know: both are crucial to getting you further in your professional career, but they’re essential for different purposes.
To answer the job description accordingly, you must first concisely concise a CV. Why is that important? Because of the screening process. If done by recruiters, they would “scan” your work history for 6-8 seconds on average. If done by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), they also scan your CV for keywords and specific requirements, but this time automatically. In both cases, your polished application, including both your cover letter and CV, won’t even pass these gatekeepers if it doesn’t contain relevant information for the specific role.
But once you progress through the hiring process, the cover letter takes the lead and the application load. It can differentiate you from other candidates because it is more personalised and contains a professional yet conversational writing style. It can even incorporate specific examples from your previous experiences, and clearly express enthusiasm – a special feature not applicable to your CV.
Let’s not forget to mention that the importance can also shift depending on your potential company’s industry and job role. For technical positions, the CV carries the majority of the weight. Still, for customer-facing roles and senior-level positions, the emphasis is on the cover letter – it simply provides room for showcasing your communication skills and strategic thinking.
Send Your CVs and Cover Letters to Olive Recruit
Great candidates with strong applications, and those still climbing the career ladder, you are all welcome to send your CVs and cover letters to Olive Recruit. Our experienced team can help you polish your application to serve your interests best and get strategic career guidance that positions you for long-term success.
Browse through our most recent job ads,
or send us your CV and cover letter here:
FAQ
Do I always need a Cover Letter with my CV?
Not every job application requires a cover letter. However, including one is a vital sign that you are a professional who is always willing to take a step further. It also provides room for a brief introduction and additional information, while creating an opportunity to stand out from the competitors.
Should my CV and Cover Letter Have the Same Design?
Yes, if possible, write the two documents on the same template, using the same fonts and colours. This approach showcases your attention to detail applied through visual consistency and enhanced readability.
Do Employers Read CVs or Cover Letters First?
With the rise of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), CVs are the ones that get scanned for keywords. Even large online platforms like LinkedIn prefer mandatory usage of CVs in job applications, before the optional cover letters.
