Having a well-written CV and the ability to handle interview questions appropriately are of great importance to every job seeker. However, writing a good cover letter often takes a back seat in the job application process. How should candidates go about writing the perfect cover letter for IT support jobs? Let's take a look at some of the main concerns that most candidates might have.
Cover letter tips for IT support staff.
We are going to cover:
- formatting
- content
- skills selection
- what not to do
Formatting.
The most basic, chronological-style CV is usually used for IT support roles, so the format of the cover letter should follow the same approach. Applicants should pay particular attention to their most relevant professional achievements to the support position they are applying for. They need to explain, in the shortest and clearest way possible, what makes them suitable for the role and why the prospective employer should consider them for an interview. It is not unusual for candidates to use bullet points in a cover letter. These are not recommended though due to their casual undertone, but can be useful in the case of applicants who have a tendency to write lengthy and complicated sentences.
As a general rule of thumb, a cover letter should be no more than three paragraphs: an introduction explaining why the applicant is interested in the role, a paragraph outlining the most relevant skills and experience that the candidate is bringing to the role, and a closing one mentioning how the candidate prefers to be contacted and when they are available for an interview.
What should be included?
A cover letter does not need to go into any great detail regarding who the candidate is and their entire professional history: this is what the CV is for. Instead, a cover letter needs to be a short and simple outline of the candidate's strengths and motivation, focusing on aspects that set them apart from the competition.
For IT support roles, the cover letter is largely dependent on what sort of support the candidate is supposed to provide. For example, candidates might outline their proficiency in Microsoft applications, coding languages or highlight their analytical skills. IT support roles are often client facing, and the candidate should be able to demonstrate some relevant customer service experience where necessary.
What skills should be highlighted?
IT support roles are quite diverse in nature, so the skills that need to be highlighted within a cover letter are largely ones that will match a specific role. Candidates should always go out of their way to ensure they're highlighting the most relevant experience that the position is calling for. In general, candidates should mention their confidence in handling a large number of support-demanding clients and tackling a variety of problems in a calm, efficient manner.
What to avoid.
Candidates should never provide information that is not directly relevant to the role. While candidates will need to come across as proactive, motivated, and outgoing, this does not necessarily mean that they need to write about their personal hobbies and interests. These are likely to be irrelevant to the role. Instead, candidates need to focus on their relevant experience and how well they did in their previous job positions. You can find some cover letter templates by visiting our CV hub here.
