Recruitment consultant reveals the secret of authentic application letters

After almost four decades in the recruitment business, a New York expert remembers only one truly convincing motivation letter. His analysis shows what really matters in a written application.

Authenticity beats formalism

Steve Levy has sifted through thousands of application documents in his long career as a recruitment consultant. He describes most of them as a "poorly summarized version of the CV" with no individual touch. However, one cover letter stuck in his mind - due to its unconventional approach.

The candidate was applying for an IT administrator position and skillfully used his military experience as a differentiator. "I have set up servers during indirect fire, maintained contact with a bird while our vehicle was being riddled, and mastered the finer craft of versatile armor tape application in the IT war zone," he wrote.

Humor as a door opener

The unusual wording made the recruiter laugh and prompted him to call immediately. Although the original position was not a good fit, Levy successfully referred the applicant to an IT consultancy. This experience illustrates an important principle: recruiters value authentic personalities more than perfect standard texts.

Relevance for professional services

For career starters in tax consulting and auditing, this means: Rigid application formulas come across as interchangeable. Instead, candidates should communicate their individual experiences and motivations honestly. Levy recommends telling your own story - directly and without exaggerated formality. "Think about how you tell stories to friends," advises the experienced headhunter.

Warning about AI-generated texts

Levy is particularly critical of the use of generative AI when writing cover letters. "You have to find your own voice," he emphasizes. Automated texts prevent authentic communication between applicants and potential employers.

Practical implementation

Not every applicant has spectacular experience from crisis areas. Rather, the honest presentation of personal qualifications and motivations is crucial. Individuality and credibility open doors more effectively than perfect phrases.

The following applies to professional services: Show your technical expertise, but don't forget to remain recognizable as a person.