A cover letter is as old as the CV, everyone knows they need one, but no one ever really knows what to put in it. Now that it’s the start of the Easter break, this is the perfect time to start shaping up those CVs and cover letters, and start sending them off to potential employers!
A cover letter is like a personal introduction to your potential employer. It gives them more information about you as a person and as a worker, and is the perfect time to show off your skills and experiences! Don’t waste an opportunity to sell yourself, so how do you make your cover letter perfect?
Structure:
There is a basic structure which is sure to help you get your cover letter right every time!
First paragraph: say what job you’re applying for and why
Second paragraph: state why you’re suitable, drawing upon relevant experiences and skills to show the employer you’re the best candidate for the job
Third paragraph: draw on any other experiences that would benefit the job. You can also state here your availability and any other additional information the employer may need, such as whether you have a DBS or a clean driver’s license.
Final paragraph: round off with politeness; say that you’re really excited by the job and that you want a personal interview to further prove your skills.
Format and Address:
A cover letter should be concise, not waffling on for hundreds of pages. Try to keep yours to one page minimum, maybe even less than 600 words. It should be easy to read with no distracting images or pictures. Keep it professional.
Addressing the cover letter is always a tricky one. The best way is to address it to a particular person, more specifically the person who posted the job or who will be dealing with the applications. However if you can’t find that person, or want to air on the side of caution, use the old trust ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ or even ‘Dear Hiring Manager’.
Tips:
• Do your research! On the company, on the person you’re writing to, on the job specifications. Those little details that appeal to the specific job requirement might be the difference between an interview and no interview.
• Don’t just use a universal cover letter. I understand that writing a new cover letter for every job is boring, and you don’t have to. Just ensure that for every new job you apply to, you edit your cover letter to include those priceless titbits of information on the company that you set you apart from all the other candidates. You might also need to edit your skills to be appropriate for each individual job too.
• Make sure there aren’t any spelling or grammar mistakes. Proofread, proofread, proofread!
• Don’t include your salary expectations or any other demands. I know it’s tempting to get carried away, but it’s more likely to get your cover letter to be put in the rejection pile.
• Don’t include personal information, like how this job will ensure that you and your partner can jet off to exotic holidays or would be able to finally afford that brand new car. It’s just a no-no.
Charlotte Brindley | Careers Ambassador | YSJ