Cover letters: How to avoid the mistake that could offend your potential employer

Most recruiters say they place more importance on the CV than the cover letter when evaluating candidates for global development positions. With tough competition among job seekers and strict requirements passed on by donors, recruiters first want to make sure you have the necessary qualifications before taking the time to read a cover letter. However, degrees and years of experience aren’t the only criteria mission-driven employers in global development seek. They also want to hire professionals who identify with their values and will fit in with their culture. While a resume can help them check the boxes on a long list of technical and management requirements, a cover letter is where employers get to know you, your motivations and why you are uniquely positioned to help them achieve their goals. If a CV is your opening statement, a cover letter is your closing argument. And there is little debate that a poorly written cover letter can land an otherwise strong application in the garbage bin. Meanwhile, a sensitivity unique to the global development industry is how you refer to an employer in a cover letter. You want to make sure you get the employer’s name right — you would be surprised how many times I and other recruiters receive cover letters that name a different employer. But, less obvious is how you describe the employer. Are you applying to an NGO, a consulting firm or foundation? What about a government agency or development bank? If you start a cover letter for a position at an NGO stating you admire their company, rather than organization, it would be a red flag that you don’t truly understand how they work. A consulting firm or private sector company may see your use of the term organization as a clue that you won’t fit in with their more business-minded structure. This is especially true if you’re trying to transition from another sector and there will already be some skepticism as to whether you can easily fit in. So that you don’t make this common mistake, here is a quick cheat sheet for some of the employer types in global development and how you should refer to them: ● If it’s an NGO, nonprofit or civil society organization like CARE, Oxfam or BRAC, use the term organization. ● If it’s a consulting firm, corporation or private sector employer, like Deloitte, DAI or Pfizer, use the term company. ● If it’s an international development bank like the World Bank, African Development Bank or Inter-American Development Bank, use the term bank. ● If it's a foundation like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation or Rockefeller Foundation, use the term foundation. ● If it’s a government agency, use the term agency. Likewise if it is a government department, use the term department. If you are ever unsure, check the extension of their website. If it’s a .org, use the term organization. If it’s a .com, use the term company. If you are ever in a bind and don’t know what to use, your safer bet is to use the term organization, as it’s less likely to offend given the dominance of nonprofit employers in the sector. Looking to make a career move? Visit our career center for expert advice on how to navigate your job search - all you need is a Devex Career Account to get started.