A CV is an important document for applying for jobs, so is an application letter (also called a cover letter). They have certain similarities. Some of such similarities are: they both highlight your experiences, they are both tailored to the writer who is the subject matter, and CVs and application letters have your contact information, and so on. In spite of the many similarities, there are some differences between a CV and an application letter. Here are such differences:
An Application Letter Has a Narrower Scope.
A resumé is a sort of brief biography. A CV can be defined as a document that compiles and compresses details of a person’s history into a few pages. It highlights different points in a person’s life journey, growth and self-development.
It, therefore, has several subsections, such as educational history, skill sets, work experience, personal details, contact information, and referees’ names and contact information.
Contrarily, an application letter has fewer sections and details. Basically, a cover letter has an introduction, a second paragraph that briefly discusses your qualifications and how they make you suitable for the role applied for, and a third paragraph that discusses your work experiences and how they are in a field similar to the one you are currently applying for.
The last paragraph is a conclusion that mentions any attached document and your availability to provide more details if needed.
There are some sections of a resumé that are not included in a cover letter. For instance, a cover letter does not mention referees, except in cases where the job advert says that applicants should attach the recommendations of their referees. In such rare cases, you could indicate that the recommendations are attached to your cover letter.
A CV Is Formatted with Bullet Points.
The best resumés are well-formatted with bullet points, to ease scanning and quick comprehension. Also, points are listed out in phrases. On the other hand, cover letters are written in full sentences. Ideas are written and arranged in paragraphs.
An Application Letter Must Be Accompanied by a CV.
A resumé or CV can be sent solely if an application letter is not requested. Employers can make decisions on whether to invite an applicant to an interview, based on a CV. However, due to the limited scope of a cover letter, a CV has to be sent alongside a cover letter.
An Application Letter Is Addressed to One Prospective Employer.
A cover letter is a formal letter addressed to a particular person in a particular company. It has the address of the sender, as well as that of the receiver (or the email address of each party, depending on the contact details of the company provided in the job advert, as well as the medium of sending the application letter as indicated in the advert).
Fewer and fewer companies require hard-copy cover letters and resumés, these days. As a result, emails now serve as cover letters, and should be properly written in formal letter style; as you would if you were sending a hard copy.
In contrast, a CV is not addressed to anybody or any company in particular. You can use one resumé to apply for several jobs. Having said that, if you have worked across different fields, you can create various CVs and tailor them to show your expertise in each industry; each CV will focus on one industry.
A Resumé Should Not Exceed Two Pages.
The ideal resumé should be two pages; no more, no less. A one-page CV is too short, and a CV of three or more pages is just unnecessarily lengthy. It is vital to put in only the information that is both necessary and presents you as experienced and qualified for that specific role.
A cover letter, on the contrary, should not exceed one page. The purpose of an application letter is to introduce yourself and state why you are the right person for the job. Also, since there will be a CV attached to the application letter, there will be no need to repeat the information already covered in the resumé.
Despite the similarities between a cover letter and a CV, there are obviously certain features that make them dissimilar. None should be mistaken for the other. They are each essential to your job applications.
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