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How to write a good covering letter
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Posted in Candidates on Sep 21, 2010 by Richard Hayden
Covering letters are an important tool for any candidate and can instantly alter the light that a prospective employer sees you in. The key is to keep it short and sweet around 2 / 3 paragraphs, no-one wants to read an essay.
In a covering letter you are aiming to achieve 3 things:
- Sell yourself and convince the employer of your suitability and enthusiasm for the role / company (i.e. good reputation).
- Highlight any particular information from your CV which is especially notable or relevant (i.e. past experience)
- Communicate any other information such as special circumstances or availability for interview (don’t tell them your daily routine)
A covering letter should not be the same as your CV, it is your chance to showcase yourself as an individual (not simply another applicant). It should have a formal tone and most importantly be sincere. If possible address the letter to the Hiring Manager, using the correct salutation and their surname. A letter entitled Dear Sirs appears at first glance to be mass produced even if this isn’t the case.
Most importantly use language that is appropriate to you and the position you are applying for i.e.;
- If you are applying for a sales role be persuasive in your language, demonstrate your sales skills.
- If you are applying for an administrative position check the spelling and grammar and then ask someone else to check it again, show your attention to detail and organisational skills.
Using these basic rules you should be able to write a concise, relevant and persuasive covering letter showcasing you as a great candidate helping to set you apart from the competition.
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In a covering letter you are aiming to achieve 3 things:
- Sell yourself and convince the employer of your suitability and enthusiasm for the role / company (i.e. good reputation).
- Highlight any particular information from your CV which is especially notable or relevant (i.e. past experience)
- Communicate any other information such as special circumstances or availability for interview (don’t tell them your daily routine)
A covering letter should not be the same as your CV, it is your chance to showcase yourself as an individual (not simply another applicant). It should have a formal tone and most importantly be sincere. If possible address the letter to the Hiring Manager, using the correct salutation and their surname. A letter entitled Dear Sirs appears at first glance to be mass produced even if this isn’t the case.
Most importantly use language that is appropriate to you and the position you are applying for i.e.;
- If you are applying for a sales role be persuasive in your language, demonstrate your sales skills.
- If you are applying for an administrative position check the spelling and grammar and then ask someone else to check it again, show your attention to detail and organisational skills.
Using these basic rules you should be able to write a concise, relevant and persuasive covering letter showcasing you as a great candidate helping to set you apart from the competition.
At Key Appointments we want to supply you with relevant and useful information, if there are topics you would like more information on then please email us at info@key-appointments.co.uk
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