Tailor each covering letter
to different employers - never send out standardised letters!!
Keep it to 1 side of A4 paper - short
and simple!!
The covering letter that you send for
a job application is the most important document that you
will send in the first instance for the application of a job
position. It is your chance to sell yourself to the employer,
to prompt the recruiter to read your CV and to gain an interview.
The role of the application letter is
to draw a clear connection between the job you are seeking
and your qualifications listed in the CV. The letter matches
the requirements of the job with your qualifications, emphasizing
how you are right for that job. The application letter is
not a lengthy summary of the CV but should be used to highlight
and elaborate on the key points in your CV, which are of particular
relevance to the employer.
There is no strict formula for an application
letter as different jobs may require different approaches.
Employers can spot standardised letters that are sent out
on mass, so you must tailor every letter to be uniquely relevant
to each role you apply for. It is best to make sure that the
letter is on a formal footing but also friendly and that you
pay attention to your writing style, your spelling and grammar.
Many cover letters tend to be long winded
but it is best to try to keep it to 1 side of A4 and to no
more than 3 - 4 paragraphs that consist of short, simple sentences.
Structure
Introduction
The first paragraph of the application
letter is the most important; it sets everything up - the
tone and focus. Try to provide him/her with a reason to carry
on reading your application letter and make the first paragraph
an attention-grabbing one!! It is a good idea to begin by
addressing the letter to a particular person if you can get
hold of this information. This paragraph should be brief and
to the point, indicating which job you are applying for (including
a job reference number if there is one) as well as the source
of your information (newspaper advertisement, personal contact
etc) and an explanation as to why you have applied for this
job.
Main Body
In the main parts of the application letter,
you present your work experience, education, training - whatever
makes that connection between you and the job you are seeking.
Remember that this is the most important job you have to do
in this letter - to enable the reader to see the match between
your qualifications and the requirements for the job.
It may be a good idea to split the body
into two paragraphs with the first focusing on the needs of
the company and role requirements. You need to explain why
you have applied to them, indicating the main job requirements.
This will show you have done research into the company, tailoring
the letter to them to be unique. In the following paragraph
you need to match these to your skills and abilities, highlighting
why you are right for the job and elaborating your achievements.
Try to include information not already on your CV, be positive
and confident and write it with a bias to the future rather
than the past.
Closing Paragraph
In the last paragraph of the application
letter, you can indicate how the prospective employer can
get in touch with you and when are the best times for an interview.
This is the place to urge that prospective employer to contact
you to arrange an interview. It is important to end the letter
strongly and on a positive note. End the letter with something
like 'I very much look forward to hearing from you' and 'Yours
Sincerely' and finally, don't forget to sign and print your
name! Once you have written your letter, check it several
times for any mistakes you may have made and check all the
information you have provided them with is correct and accurate.
Align the company address to the left side and your address
to the right and make sure the paragraphs are justified, the
font is the same throughout the letter and on your CV and
that it looks neat and tidy!!
If you are not replying to an advertised
position, it is more appropriate to write a speculative letter
to a company that you would like to work for. The cover letter
will therefore be slightly different, it should begin by stating
what work you are particularly seeking, say why you want to
work for this company and ask for your CV to be kept and to
be contacted if any vacancies open.
Example Cover Letter
Let us create an example of a job advertised
for a Regional Sales Manager for a Peanut Butter company based
in the UK. Applications are to be sent to John Watson the
Human Resources Manager:
(Place the name and title of person who
you are applying to)
John Watson
Human Resources Manager
Peanuttly Foods Ltd
Peanut Building
The Park
Salisbury
(Place in information about the position
that you are applying for)
Reference: Regional Sales Manager Position
Dear John,
(Introductory paragraph)
I have seen the position advertised as
a Regional Sales Manager for Peanuttly Foods Ltd advertised
in the local Landover paper. I believe that I have the appropriate
skills and experience that you are looking for and I would
be very interested in applying for the position.
(Main body paragraphs)
I have worked for the past two years as
a sales manager for Bikkit Foods in Beversham. In that capacity,
I have helped to increase regional sales by 40% in our Funky
chicken range. These sales increases have been achieved by
an extensive marketing campaign to the 8-16 year age group
and I feel that the Regional Sales Manager Position would
offer me the challenges and the opportunities that I am looking
for in my next career step. These main body paragraphs can
be more detailed this is a example of how to present information.
(Closing paragraph)
You will find enclosed a copy of my CV,
which provides a more detailed description of my education
and employment history. I would welcome any opportunity to
talk with you further about the position. Please do not hesitate
to contact me at any time at the numbers listed on my CV if
you would like to discuss any aspects of my application.
Yours Sincerely,
Peter Johnson
Corinne Dauncey works
for http://www.TipTopJob.com,
the generalist job site allows job seekers online in 34 different
industries.
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