Cover Letters

A cover letter is a short letter that you send to the employer alongside your CV. It’s a way of introducing yourself, and asking the employer to consider your application.

Normally, a cover letter is between 3 to 5 short paragraphs, and is specifically tailored for the job you are applying for. It’s not uncommon to write a cover letter for every job you apply for.

Research

The most important part of a cover letter is the research you do first. As each cover letter is supposed to be tailored to a specific job, making sure you know as much as you can is important. So, you need to research:

• What the company does
• The job you are applying for and what exactly you’d be doing
• The person you are writing the cover letter to. This can be the head of human resources, head of the department or the recruiter. If you can’t find a name anywhere, then address your cover letter “ Dear Sir or Madam”.

Writing the Cover Letter

How to start

The start of the cover letter is the most important part. This is the section where you have to get the recruiters attention. You want to be direct and professional. Introduce yourself, say what you are applying for, and if someone referred you then mention them too. 

Next you want to say what you can offer. A good way to do this is to mention achievements from previous jobs. This is especially the case if it is a similar job. 

Prove you’re right for the job

You now need to convince the employer that you are the right fit for the job. State how your skills and experience match what the employer is looking for. The research you did on the company and job will allow you to know what they are looking for and make it clear that you have done your research. You have to show that your mindset and abilities will fit in with the company.

Give more information

Now you want to drive the point home. Cover what extra skills you have and how you got them. If you were out of work for a while, say what you did to better yourself and how those skills will help. 

You can also use this part to talk about any skills you have from hobbies and interests that would help you in this job. 

You should also talk about what attracts you to this job, and why you want to work for this company. This is a good opportunity to show off what you researched about the company, and how you fit into their culture.

Time to sum up

Use the last paragraph to round off your letter. Make sure you mention your interest in the role again, and thank the recruiter for their time. Say you are hoping to receive contact from them to arrange an interview, and sign off politely with your name.

If you know the name of the person you’re writing to, you should sign off with “yours sincerely”. However, if you started the cover letter with Dear Sir/Madam, then you should sign off with “yours faithfully”. 

Cover Letter Tips

Write a cover letter for every job you apply for – This can take up a lot of time, but the cover letter is the first thing recruiters see. You have to stand out from the crowd, so a tailored cover letter can make a big difference.

Get the details right – Your research should be up to scratch, so make sure you have the companies name, recruiters name and any other details right. If you write the wrong information, this will come across badly.

Don’t waffle – You want to keep the cover letter to between 3 to 5 concise paragraphs. This will allow you to get your point across without boring the recruiter. 

Highlight your qualities – You should know what the recruiter is looking for, so make sure your skills and qualifications are relevant. Decide what you want to advertise and then sell yourself to the recruiter.

Get your facts right – If you make a statement, back it up with facts. Have examples of your skills in action so the recruiter knows you’re not full of hot air. Use the STAR method to do this (found in the CV section).

Double check – Before you send off the cover letter, double and triple check it. You want to make sure the spelling and grammar is perfect. It never hurts to get friends or family to read through it as well, as they may see things you miss.

So, your cover letter is a vital part of your application. As your first introduction to the recruiter, you need to make sure you sell yourself. Being clear and concise with the recruiter helps, using examples of your accomplishments may help separate you from the rest. You’re not going to get your first draft perfect, so take a break, have a think, and come back to it for another read through.