Comment réussir sa lettre de motivation ?

The cover letter goes hand in hand with the CV, if you only have a CV, it could be disqualifying. In this article, we will see how to succeed in writing a cover letter.

When you are looking for an apprenticeship in a CFA, you will need to write 2 different letters, one cover letter for the admission to the training and one for the companies where you will apply.

What is the purpose of the cover letter?

It allows you to stand out from other candidates, because it is possible that your CV has many similarities with other candidates. That’s why the cover letter is important, as it will showcase your uniqueness, since everyone has different motivations. It is an additional element that will strengthen your CV and demonstrate your seriousness, involvement, and motivation. It should not be a simple summary of the CV.

But for it to be effective, the cover letter must be neat and personalized.

It should:

• Well structure your thoughts, your professional (or educational) project by highlighting your skills and qualities.
• Be impactful from the opening sentence and encourage the employer to read it to the end.

It should therefore not:

• Be hastily written, risking a sloppy presentation, so take your time and especially customize it for each application: it’s important to tailor your letter based on the company, showing that you have researched it and what you can bring to them.

What are the steps to follow?

To succeed in a cover letter, it is important to follow several parts.

Part 1:

Research the company or the subjects taught at the CFA. In this first step, you must show the interest you have.

You will need to research the company’s history, activities, offerings, and projects. It is not about reminding them who they are, but about personalizing your message. This letter must be adapted to each company you apply to. Whether your application is spontaneous or in response to a job offer, explain what attracts you to the position you are aiming for.

And why do you want to get it in this company rather than another?

To summarize this step, you will need to:

• Talk about the company after researching it
• Explain why you want this position

Part 2:

In this step, you need to highlight yourself by talking about you.

Start by explaining what motivated you to choose an apprenticeship rather than a traditional course. This dual track, allowing both theoretical learning and gaining professional experience, has a brisk rhythm and requires motivation: do not hesitate to deploy your arguments.

Also take the time to detail the content of your future courses, and the perfect match between this training and the desired position. That’s why it’s important to research the subjects in the training you want to pursue.

For example, if you want to do a BTS in insurance in a claims management department, you can relate the subject of claims management to the desired position.

Highlight everything that makes you stand out in your cover letter, and avoid mentioning any of your weaknesses. Sell yourself as well as possible by listing your skills, qualities, or know-how. The key in a cover letter is not to simply copy your CV, as the recruiter has already read it. Mention skills and qualities that are relevant to the position.

For example, you can mention what your previous professional, personal experiences or activities have brought you. If you have already worked in customer service, that could be advantageous, as you can say that you know how to calm an unhappy client.

Part 3:

If you did not rush through the previous step, the company must have seen that you are the ideal candidate, and now you can present your expectations. If they are actually interested in hiring you, so are you: for example, you want to acquire a specific know-how that only they possess.

Suggest to meet “at the end of the week” or the following week to get their reply. This demonstrates your genuine motivation and proactive attitude.

What are the essential tips to remember?

Like any professional document, it is important to: –review it carefully, as mistakes disturbed during reading can cause your application to be rejected. The recruiter assumes you know how to write, so proofread your letter and have someone else review it as well, to avoid the risk of being overlooked. To help you avoid spelling mistakes, you can use free correction sites like: “Scribens” or “BonPatron”

• Create multiple paragraphs and make your cover letter more airy and easier to read
• End with a polite closing phrase to take your leave.

You can use Word or CV Designer to create your cover letters.

The search for an apprenticeship can sometimes be lengthy, so don’t get discouraged.

36% of apprentices have sent more than 30 applications to find their contract. 34% say it took more than three months to complete their search.

Organize yourself by doing simple things.

Create a table with:

• The name of the company,
• The date you submitted your documents
• A box with the response
• A box to know if you have already followed up with them.

If you do not receive a response after 2 weeks or even 3 weeks, do not hesitate to follow up with the company by phone or by going there directly.

The next document will definitely be about how to prepare for your interview properly.

You now know how to succeed in writing a cover letter.

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