A good covering letter makes the case for why you should be selected for an interview.
preparation
- before writing, research the organisation and study the job profile to gain an understanding of the role and the company
- think about the key skills and experience you have detailed in your CV, which matches the role
- highlight what you have to offer the prospective employer, be clear and concise rather than repeat your CV
structure
- detail your name and contact details, the name and job title of the recipient (if known) company name and address and date your letter
- start with a salutation, Mr/Mrs X, or Dear Sir or Madam (if you cannot find out the recipient's name
- subject - include the job title and reference number
- if you are sending a speculative CV, make sure you do your research on the company and direct it to the appropriate person
content
- express your interest in the position and why you are interested in the role
- detail your strengths - qualifications and/or experience and your suitability for the role. Highlight why your skills match their requirements
- add a positive conclusion - stressing your confidence in applying and looking forward to hearing that they are taking your application to interview
- check for grammar, spelling and typographical errors - ask a friend to help as they may spot something you have overlooked.
Remember - this could be your only opportunity to make an impression on a potential employer, so customise your CV and covering letter for each job application.
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