Covering Letters

You should send a covering letter with all your applications. This will be the first thing the employer will see, so spend time getting it right.

It should:

• State the job you are applying for
• Be tailored for each job you apply for
• Be short and to the point. No longer than one side of A4
• Be in the same font and font size as your CV
• Introduce you to the employer
• State why you are a good candidate for the job
• Just as there are different approaches to writing your C.V., the covering letter does give you some scope to adapt your own style, but here are some suggestions.

The letter will ‘sell’ you to them by highlighting what you have to offer, explain why you want to work for them and say what you can bring to the organisation.

Start with:

• Your name, address and contact details
• The date
• The name and address of the employer
• If you don’t have a name, start the letter with ‘Dear Sir/Madam’

1st Paragraph

• State which job you are applying for
• State where it was advertised.
• Briefly introduce yourself – who you are, where you studied and what qualifications you have.

2nd Paragraph

• Outline why you want to work for the employer
• Demonstrate what you know about that organisation from any research you have done
• Say why you think you are suitable for the job and why it appeals to you

3rd Paragraph

• State the qualifications, skills, achievements and experience you have which match the job description. Start with the job specific skills you have, then your transferable and personal skills.
• Provide evidence of how you have gained these skills. For example, knowledge you gained from school/college and work experience.

4th Paragraph

• Be positive and polite. End the letter with something like, “thank you for considering my application, I look forward to hearing from you/meeting with you.

Ending the letter:

• ‘Yours sincerely’ if you are writing to a named person
• ‘Yours faithfully’ if you started with ‘Dear Sir/Madam’
• Add your signature – electronic or hand-written
• Type you name below your signature