Applying For Jobs in the UAE? Here’s What Employers Look For in a Cover Letter

6 min read44,750 ViewsLast updated 07 Apr 2023

Most job seekers underestimate the power of a cover letter because they focus too much on making their CVs perfect. CV is undoubtedly importance but the cover letter is equally important. An employer will make an effort to read your CV only if the cover letter is successful in capturing his/her attention. However, most of the job seekers struggle to write a cover letter. They can’t decide what to write in a cover letter when everything is already included in the CV.

With the UAE job market showing improvement, it is evident that more people are going to switch jobs and naturally the competition will be tough. If you too are looking for a job change, read our tips on writing a perfect cover letter to help you impress your prospective employers:

What Employers in the UAE Look for in a Cover Letter?

1. The Length:

The cover letter should be brief and to the point. However, that doesn’t mean writing something like this is acceptable:

Dear Mr. XYZ,

I wish to apply for the role of Sales Executive, as advertised in Naukrigulf.com on 28^th February. Please find enclosed my CV.

If you need any further information, please feel free to contact me.

Yours faithfully,

ABC

With that being said, we are not suggesting a 2-3 page long cover letter will do the trick. No, it will not. An ideal cover letter is never more than 1 page. It can be 250-300 words long which can be increased depending upon your requirement. Just ensure it doesn’t exceed one page.

An ideal cover letter looks something like this:

Dear Mr. XYZ,

In response to your job posting on Naukrigulf.com for the role of Sales Executive, I am enclosing my CV for your review. Given my experience of over 3 years in the sales field and having completed my MBA in Marketing from DEF University, I am confident that I would be an excellent candidate for this position and an ideal fit for ABC Company.I am currently associated with GHI Company as a Junior Sales Executive for over 2 years. During my tenure, I have been consistent in achieving sales targets. I have also demonstrated my ability as a team member and formed great relationships with my co-workers as well as clients. My current roles and responsibilities involve:

[Insert roles and responsibilities in bulleted points]*

I am interested in discussing this opportunity during an interview. If you feel my qualifications and experience are fit for your company, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

ABC

*Insert some skills and job roles mentioned in the job description posted by the employer also.

Also read: How to Write a Cover Letter That Stands Out

2. Your Pitch:

Don’t waste your precious cover letter by stating the obvious. View it as an opportunity to sell your skills instead. Make sure your cover letter includes key information such as your qualification, professional background, and skills. These things encourage an employer to call a candidate for an interview. There’s one catch, though. Your pitch should match the employer’s requirements. Therefore, read the job description carefully and tailor your pitch according to the job requirements. If done correctly, employers will definitely call you for an interview.

3. Writing Style:

Although the content is important, the effectiveness of a pitch is also dependent on how it is written. Nowadays sample cover letters for every possible work domain are easily available online. You can use this information by picking points that are relevant to your job application. However, don’t copy and paste stuff blindly. Prepare an original script that reflects your experience and personality. Maintain a positive and confident tone in your cover letter but don’t overdo it. Otherwise, you might look like an arrogant person. While closing the letter, reiterate your interest in the job position and the company. Show them that you are genuinely interested in hearing back.

4. Errors:

Yes, employers read cover letters very carefully and that too for finding errors. Job seekers are usually in a rush to hit the ‘send’ button and don’t proofread their cover letters. Typos and grammatical mistakes can make a bad impression as they are a direct reflection of how serious you are about the job position for the employer. Therefore, make sure to proofread your cover letter twice before hitting the ‘send’ button.

Also read: Top Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

The sole aim of a cover letter is to introduce you as a perfect fit for the advertised job position. For it to do the job well, follow the tips shared above while writing your cover letter and get yourself called for job interviews more often.

Cover Letters Tips you will find helpful include:

Professional Cover Letter

Importance of Cover Letter

Essential Parts of Cover Letter

Things to do in Cover Letter

Image Source: Pixabay