Confused Job Seeker Asks, “Is a Cover Letter a Summary of My CV?” HR Responds

By Florence Mukunya,

“My name is Robert Nyakundi.  I am an accountant student graduating very soon and I want to start job searching as soon as I get my certificates.  I have been looking at various cover letters and each cover letter has been written differently. My questions is whether a cover letter should be a summary of my CV or it should just be a letter showing my interest for the job”

To advise Mr. Nyakundi and any other person in the same dilemma I spoke to Jacqueline Kariuki and June Njoroge both Professional CV and cover letter writers and professional career advisors.

“A cover letter is an introduction of the candidate to the employer in regards to the job opening the candidate is applying for,” says Ms. Kariuki

“A cover letter is not necessarily the same as a CV, you find that in a cover letter you do not repeat whatever is in your CV but you emphasis on your skills in regards to the job you are applying for,” says Ms. Njoroge.

Ms. Kariuki states that, “While a CV is a summary of the applicants past history which may include the school the applicant attended, job experience, past projects and hobbies, the cover letter only highlights you potential as a candidate for the position.

“A cover letters should also be brief, one page at most in length and should be divided into a header, introduction, body, and closing while a CV is longer depending on the years of experience,” adds Ms. Kariuki

Ms Kariuki also goes ahead and describes what your cover letter should look like.

“The header should be at the top of the letter and includes candidates name and complete with your address and email; the introduction section should briefly indicate the position for which you are applying for, the body should highlight your skills and characteristics as they relate to the position and the closing is where you thank the employer for his or her time in reviewing your application.

You should also mention that you look forward to discussing the position in more detail with him/her in the near future,” advices Ms Kariuki

“Overall you cannot summaries the whole of your CV in a cover letter and anyway a cover letter is not supposed to do that,” conclude Ms. Kariuki

Ms. Njoroge advices that a cover letter should be written keenly as most employers will not even look at the CV if the cover letter does not meet the standards.

“A cover letter should be clear, concise and to the point, the employer does not have to read the letter twice to understand what your point is, it should be very simple,” adds Ms. Noroge

If you are preparing to look for a job like Mr. Nyakundi, now you know what to include and what to leave out of your cover letter.

Dont Miss any Job Or Article Subscribe to Career Point Kenya by Email FOR FREE CLICK HERE