The covering letter seems to be disappearing. Is it still useful?

Yes, especially for unsolicited applications. Your letter will enable you to express what you are looking for and to highlight the added value and the skills and experience that you can bring to the company.

Warning: if you choose to add a letter to your CV, then it must be exemplary: spelling, structure, customised for the company to which you are writing, with differentiating information, etc. If this is not the case, this letter could do you more harm than good.

How to write a covering letter when you have no experience?

If you’re looking for an internship or a first job and you have no work experience, the covering letter will in particular allow you to explain to the recruiter what you are looking for exactly and to demonstrate your motivation for the position.

In the same way as in your CV, you can use your youthful experiences (middle school internship, leisure activities, involvement in associations, babysitting, etc.) especially if they have a link with the job or if they demonstrate your ability to do and hold this job.

Exploit the data at your disposal (job offer, company website). This will enable you to adapt your letter, to highlight the right motivation criteria and to flesh out your arguments.

Would you advise using an online model or rather go for originality?

If you are creative and if you are applying for a job that requires creativity, then you can go for originality!

However, don’t forget to respect certain codes to make sure that the recruiter easily identifies what you are looking for and/or the job offer you are answering.

If you are less inspired, you can effectively use an online model, provided, of course, that you adapt and personalise it. This will demonstrate your motivation and the time that you spent on this reflection/preparation.

There is nothing more unpleasant for a recruiter than to read the same letter 100 times!