Cover letter: how to apply successfully in project management?
The cover letter plays a key role in project management applications, as it gives candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their experience and personal motivation for the position. A well-written cover letter can help you stand out from the crowd. In this article, we take a look at the secret of a good cover letter. We'll give you some practical tips and some samples to help you apply more effectively!
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a document that candidates attach to their CV when applying for a job, project or application. Its purpose is to complement the CV and give a more personal insight into the applicant's professional background, skills and motivation.
The cover letter helps the candidate to explain why they would like to work for the company and how they can contribute to its success. A well-written cover letter plays an important role in any job search process, especially in project management where communication and organisation are key and past achievements speak for themselves.
The content of the cover letter: what is a good cover letter?
Here are some tips on what to look out for!
Personalise it!
Always tailor the cover letter to the company and the tasks. Templates and samples can help you create a framework, but you should clearly include the company name, the job description and your own experience.
Let's be concise and to the point!
A good cover letter stays within one page! It's important to avoid long, unnecessary digressions and to focus on why you are right for the position and why you want to work for the company or on the project.
Showcase your experience, skills and achievements!
Professional experience and skills that are directly related to the position should be highlighted. It is important to use concrete examples of how you have achieved results in previous projects.
Rather than simply listing your tasks, let's write specifics! Use figures and data to support your findings.
PLEASURE: "I have reduced costs by 10%" or "I have increased efficiency by 15%" or "the implementation of the project has increased the company's annual revenue by 20%"
Let's write about our personal motivations!
One of the key purposes of a cover letter is to give you an insight into why this is the dream career for you. These could be the products, the company culture or a specific project that inspired us. We can highlight why we feel our goals and interests are aligned with the company's mission and vision.
Use a positive, confident tone!
This suggests that we are confident and aware of our own abilities and believe that we can add value to the company. At the same time, this tone should never be arrogant or overbearing, the aim is to be persuasive while remaining humble.
Creative but professional
Creativity is the key to personalising your cover letter and making it stand out from the crowd. But make sure you never overstep the boundaries of professionalism!
Writing a cover letter: what are the formal requirements for a cover letter?
Knowing the structure of a cover letter will help to make the document professional and easy to read. And that's half the battle!
Now let's look at what to look out for!
1. Length
The cover letter should never exceed one page! A concise, to the point letter is much more effective than a lengthy, detailed document.
2. Font and size
- Font: Choose a readable, professional font such as Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman or Helvetica!
- Font size: The font size should be between 10 and 12 points!
- Use bold and italics: Use bold or italics only for important highlights, do not overdo it!
3. Margins and margins
- Sorköz: In general, you should set a line spacing of 1.15 or 1.5 lines so that the text is legible and not too dense!
- Margins: There should be a margin of at least 2.5 cm on each side of the page!
4. Structure and structuring
- Introduction, explanation, conclusion: The motivation letter should consist of three distinct parts: introduction, professional experience, motivation and conclusion.
- Paragraphs: Each thought should be in a separate paragraph! This makes the letter clearer and easier to read!
- Call and signature: The salutation and the closing are written on separate lines (e.g. "Dear [name of addressee]", "Greetings,")!
5. Fields and data
- Headline: Please include your full name, contact details (phone number, e-mail address) and the date at the top of the letter. Include the name, position, company name and address of the recipient, if known.
- Contact: If you know who will read the letter, address them by name (e.g. "Dear János Kovács"). If we do not know your name, "Dear Sir/Madam" is appropriate.
6. File format
You may want to save the word format of the fillable cover letter template as a PDF to keep the original formatting!
7. Signature
It is important that the letter is signed in all cases (e.g. "Best regards, Péter Kiss").
8. Spelling and grammatical correctness
Before sending the letter, check for spelling and grammatical errors! An error-free letter conveys professionalism.
What language should it be? Do you need an English cover letter?
The language of the cover letter is always determined by the application and the company's expectations.
1. Language of the job advertisement
If the advertisement is written in Hungarian, the cover letter must also be sent in Hungarian. If in English, both the cover letter and the CV should be in English.
2. Official language of the company
If the company you are applying to is international or multilingual, English is usually the preferred language, in which case it is a good idea to send your cover letter in English, even if the job advertisement was in Hungarian. If you know that most of the company's communication is in English, an English cover letter may make a better impression.
3. Language requirements for the post
If the advertisement says that a particular language is required for the position (e.g. German), you may want to write your cover letter in that language.
4. Avoiding linguistic confusion
It is important that the cover letter and CV are in the same language. For example, if the CV is in English, the cover letter should be in English and vice versa. Mixed language use is not recommended.
Cover letter ideas: What is the perfect cover letter sample?
Now, let's see a sample cover letter in English and Hungarian that can be personalised for the position.
Project manager cover letter in English
Peter Kiss
+36 30 123 4567
peter.kiss@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/customlink
Date: September 19, 2024
Mr Kovács
HR Director
XYZ Ltd.
Budapest, Fő Street 10
Subject: Application for the Project Manager Position
Dear Mr. Kovács,
I am writing to express my interest in the Project Manager position at XYZ Ltd. With over five years of experience in project management, I have successfully led numerous complex projects to completion. I am confident that my skills and leadership abilities can significantly contribute to the continued success of XYZ Ltd.
In my most recent role at [Previous Company Name], I managed a €2 million development project that was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. By utilizing Agile methodologies and improving communication between teams, we achieved a 15% increase in efficiency. The Project Manager position at XYZ Ltd. is particularly appealing to me due to the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability, and I would be excited to contribute to this mission.
Given my experience and proven results, I am confident I can effectively support the success of your projects. I find the opportunity to contribute to the company's expansion plans especially exciting and look forward to being part of XYZ Ltd.'s long-term goals.
I would be delighted to meet with you in person to discuss how I can add value to the XYZ Ltd. team. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Peter Kiss
Designabc