| As with CV writing, there are few firm rules | | | | |
| for producing a cover letter, only | | | | Cover letters should be no longer than a few |
| suggestions and guidelines. Despite a range | | | | paragraphs - three or four ideally - as their |
| of different suggestions and advice for | | | | purpose is to provide a short summary of how |
| composing one, one thing that is agreed upon | | | | you meet the requirements of the role and |
| universally is that without a good quality | | | | highlight the most relevant parts of your CV. |
| cover letter as an accompaniment to your CV, | | | | Limit your cover letter to a side of A4 and, |
| the impact of your application can be | | | | if issuing a hard copy, print it onto the |
| severely limited. | | | | same type of good quality paper as your CV. |
| | | | |
| It is important that you spend a sufficient | | | | In your first sentence, state who you are and |
| amount of time writing your cover letter. | | | | why you are writing and, if you are applying |
| This will allow you to highlight the most | | | | for a specific job posting, cite the title of |
| relevant parts of your CV - those that make | | | | the vacancy plus any reference number |
| you most suitable for the role and entice | | | | provided by the company. If someone else has |
| potential employers to read on. Remember that | | | | referred you to the organisation, include |
| your cover letter should answer the question, | | | | this in your opening paragraph too. Be clear |
| "What can this person do for us?" This | | | | about why you are applying for that |
| doesn't relate only to posted applications; | | | | particular role at that particular company. |
| if you are emailing your CV it is still | | | | |
| crucial that you compose a cover letter that | | | | Following on from your introduction, take up |
| grasps the attention of its recipient. The | | | | to three points of particular relevance from |
| style of an emailed covering letter should | | | | your CV and provide further details. Do not |
| mirror that of a posted application (avoid | | | | simply copy what you have already written in |
| the temptation to adopt a casual tone when | | | | your CV - pick out the main highlights and |
| emailing your CV) this will ensure that you | | | | re-phrase them, expanding where necessary, |
| create a professional impression from the | | | | but try to keep this section to just one or |
| outset. | | | | two paragraphs. |
| | | | |
| Wherever possible, address your cover letter | | | | In your closing paragraph, reiterate your |
| to a specific person. Even if you are sending | | | | enthusiasm for discussing how you meet the |
| your CV out on a speculative basis, you | | | | requirements of the role during an interview |
| should try to find out the name of the head | | | | and thank the recipient for their time. To |
| of department or the HR manager at the | | | | finish, you have two options; you can either |
| company that you are applying to - a simple | | | | make a commitment to contacting them at a |
| phone call to the company's reception should | | | | specified time and date for feedback about |
| be all that is required to obtain this type | | | | your application or you can state that you |
| of information. Letters addressed to 'Sir | | | | will await their response. If you do commit |
| Madam' will create a similar level of | | | | to contacting them again, ensure you do so. |
| interest to those you receive that are | | | | As with your CV, check (and double check) for |
| entitled 'Occupier' - highly impersonal and | | | | spelling and grammatical errors. Your cover |
| much less likely to engage the reader of your | | | | letter should be as flawless as your CV. |
| application. | | | | |