How To Write A Successful Covering Letter
A covering letter is simply a letter which you include with your CV or resume when applying for a job.
Its purpose is to lay out your particular skills, experience and relevant qualifications to your potential employer so as to illustrate your suitability for the role.
You should also mention what specific role you are applying for and why it is that role which is best suited to you.
Often it is said that what makes the difference between a job application getting through to interview stage is the use of a short 'sales' type accompanying letter.
This is particularly important in today's fast paced and competitive markets where many applicants are applying for a single post, and only one of them can eventually be hired.
Your letter should not be more than one side of A4 in length and is generally around three of four paragraphs pointing out the applicants key attributes which are specific to the role.
Make sure you address your letter to the person who will be reading it.
This is an important point as the interviewer will be more impressed by the applicant who has gone the extra mile and found out who is vetting the applications than those who apply with the generic "Dear Sir/Madam".
Also, find out about the company and mention something within your covering letter which shows you have done some research and how much you can bring to the role.
You should always briefly point out your most relevant experience and refer the reader to your CV.
However, never add relevant job experience on your covering letter which is not on your CV.
Everything should be included within your resume which is relevant to the post you are applying to.
Your covering letter is just a brief outline of the most important parts and is basically a sales letter.
If you mention something on your covering letter not included in your CV, it might be interpreted as having been an after thought and being insubstantial, or worse still a porky pie (lie)! As with a CV or resume a covering letter should be neatly presented and preferably typed with no spelling errors.
Use quality paper and envelopes to give the best possible impression.
Remember you are competing with many applicants so do not give the employer any reason to discard you application, rather you want it to shine above the crowd and make an impression.
Its purpose is to lay out your particular skills, experience and relevant qualifications to your potential employer so as to illustrate your suitability for the role.
You should also mention what specific role you are applying for and why it is that role which is best suited to you.
Often it is said that what makes the difference between a job application getting through to interview stage is the use of a short 'sales' type accompanying letter.
This is particularly important in today's fast paced and competitive markets where many applicants are applying for a single post, and only one of them can eventually be hired.
Your letter should not be more than one side of A4 in length and is generally around three of four paragraphs pointing out the applicants key attributes which are specific to the role.
Make sure you address your letter to the person who will be reading it.
This is an important point as the interviewer will be more impressed by the applicant who has gone the extra mile and found out who is vetting the applications than those who apply with the generic "Dear Sir/Madam".
Also, find out about the company and mention something within your covering letter which shows you have done some research and how much you can bring to the role.
You should always briefly point out your most relevant experience and refer the reader to your CV.
However, never add relevant job experience on your covering letter which is not on your CV.
Everything should be included within your resume which is relevant to the post you are applying to.
Your covering letter is just a brief outline of the most important parts and is basically a sales letter.
If you mention something on your covering letter not included in your CV, it might be interpreted as having been an after thought and being insubstantial, or worse still a porky pie (lie)! As with a CV or resume a covering letter should be neatly presented and preferably typed with no spelling errors.
Use quality paper and envelopes to give the best possible impression.
Remember you are competing with many applicants so do not give the employer any reason to discard you application, rather you want it to shine above the crowd and make an impression.
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