How To Write An Effective Cover Letter
Author: Corinne Hutchinson at TipTopJob in
Cover Letter Tips And Advice
The following advice will help you to write your cover letter before sending it
with your CV to employers.
Top Tips from TipTopJob:-
*** 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.
The 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
You can download a
sample Cover Letter on this page here.
If you need help with putting together your cover letter,
click here to choose from a number of professional CV and Cover Letter writing companies
About the Author: Corinne Hutchinson works at TipTopJob.com and is a professional marketer and career advisor working in the online recruitment industry. She has written articles and advised jobseekers on searching and applying for jobs since 2005.
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