Applying for a new role is time-consuming, especially if you’re balancing it with your current job. The first step is making sure your CV is up to date with your latest achievements and then, invariably, there’s a cover letter to write.

After detailing your skills on your CV, it can be hard to know what else you can elaborate on in a cover letter. However, a new report by job application platform CV Genius has found that cover letters are hugely important, with 85% of hiring managers saying that a cover letter is “influential” when deciding on whether to interview a candidate.

So, how should it differ from your CV, given how important it is? “Writing a cover letter can feel like a chore, but it’s your chance to tell your story in a way a CV can’t,” explains Geoffrey Scott, senior hiring manager at CV Genius. “A cover letter lets you link your skills and experiences to the specific role and company so you can personalise your application the way you want.”

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