There are several things that have proven effective when developing cover letters for CPA applications. They are not only expected but are viewed as a valuable tool when assessing candidates for the possibility of interviewing them.
Although there are other significant reasons to interview a candidate the cover letter acts as a catalyst or confirmation for including a person in the next phase of the CPA recruiting process – the interview. The letter gives the candidate the latitude to express themselves strategically, and the reviewer the opportunity to be compelled and inspired to narrow the playing field. The letter then, wields a fair amount of power in the CPA recruiting process and can make an impact when crafted with the right things.
Here are a few things to consider when preparing yours:
1. Layout
The look of your letter is its’ first impact and it should be a positive one. When the look of the letter is unprofessional or lacking proper branding the reviewer notices it immediately and may even be trying to determine the organization of the document instead of reading the content itself. Ensure the look of the cover letter models the look of the resume. Header, margins, font style, font size and spacing should be the same on your personal documents. The professionalism of the layout allows the reader to get to the good stuff more rapidly. More pleasing for them = better for you!
2. Standing out
With so many schools and students involved in the CPA recruiting process, it is a daunting task to stand out significantly among so many students with similar backgrounds, academic successes and goals. One of the greatest ways to differentiate yourself is by being “you”! Another way is by showing your specific passion for the firm you are writing the letter to and the specific staff that have made an impact on you during the various events. Try to create interest through highlighting a “wow” factor that took place somewhere in your past.
3. Getting attention quickly
There is no time to waste, no words to waste and certainly no space to waste in a cover letter and especially the opening paragraph. Starting out describing by an interest in the position is one of the most common openings in cover letters and is also the weakest way to begin. Like any good writer each candidate must “pull the reader in” by capturing them with their first line (or two) so that the reader wants to see what is coming next. The reference line (Re:) is where the mundane but necessary position information belongs. The first line should entice with something significant about the firm of interest, specific connections with certain staff or some outstanding thing about the candidate that will raise the level of interest from the reader. When the reviewer finishes the first paragraph they should already want to interview the candidate and the other paragraphs should provide further value.
4. Content
With the cover letter only allowing so much space to communicate many possible things, it is important each candidate picks their direction with each firm, commits to that direction and sticks with it. Trying to fit everything in may leave the reader without anything that truly impacts them. Determine what the needed pieces are for each letter you create and own it, make it strong and send it off with confidence that it is the best letter you could have produced for them. Most importantly, each letter must be “firm-specific” and in no way be a carbon copy of another firm’s letter. Some repetition is natural from letter to letter but the litmus test of a good letter is that you cannot just change the name of the firm with another and send it out because it simply would not work to do so. When deciding the content and flow of your letter, showcasing academic success, previous accomplishments, past wins, results from utilizing skills effectively, personal story, demonstrating accounting core competencies and a “wow” factor just to name a few. Also, specific connections with firm’s values, staff, service lines, offices, culture and other intrinsic firm characteristics can all be part of making your content elevate your chances of interview success. It is a fact that specific and tailored cover letters generate more interviews than boring, general and ineffective cover letters. I think you can catch my own sentiment here 🙂
5. Expression
The voice and tone of the cover letter should be consistent throughout and show the same direct confidence the resume displays. Replacing terms like, “I think” with “I believe”, “I am confident that”, or simply “I am” statements will help the reader as you display your past accomplishments, your passion and your pursuit in a believable way. I recently had an employer review one of my client’s cover letters. She was so impacted by what she read, she published the following in a local industry publication.
“At our agency we look for people who have at least one university degree. They have to be presentable, speak well, tell a story and think. We don’t settle for less. If they can’t write effectively, it is doubtful we’ll meet. Last month I read a three-paragraph cover letter that stopped me in my tracks. It was written by a student whom I knew nothing about. She wrote with a refreshing and unconventional clarity. It was like she was sitting at the other side of my desk talking to me about her life and goals. The same unconstrained voice was in her resumé. When a letter and resumé are that strong, you are seldom disappointed when you meet the person. She aced her interview too.”
6. Conclusion
Wasting time with contact information, desperate statements that sound like, “please, please hire me!”, or generic wording will just not cut it. The way a cover letter ends is an important component that can leave a lasting impression and help the reader truly select the candidate for the “yes” pile. The manner in which the information above is summarized, an added enticement that there is more to this person than is possible on paper and a belief that they will be seeing you later in the process can all generate a hunger for more. There are usually no more than about five lines in the final paragraph but within it there can be enough to make finals statements that just make it hard to let go. Confidence, passion for the company itself or some other significant thing, and/or a correlation to a “wow” factor mentioned earlier in the letter can all be part of a good conclusion.
Good Luck!
Russell Garrett is the Owner of Protocol Business Solutions, a Certified Career Consultant and the DAP Career Coach. He also collaborates with the Business Career Center to support BCom career initiatives from time to time. Be sure to attend all the CPA Summer Pre Series Workshops which are posted on COOL for registration and on Connect for post-workshop viewing. Russell will be delivering the CPA Interview Preparation Workshop for DAP and BCom students on September 13th. Russell is also available to DAP students for online coaching appointments set up through email requests until the in-person coaching appointments begin August 25th also posted in COOL. Contact Russell at dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca.