- This is a cover to your CV. You want the reader to look at it and want to read your CV. Be brief - one page long. Use enthusiastic language and be interesting.
- Be Accurate - spell the name of the company contact correctly and structure the letter in a formal way.
- Talking in the first person by saying "I this, I that" is too repetitive so try to avoid this.
- Knowledge - look at the company website and tell the reader how you can contribute to furthering their organisation.
- Say what you are applying for and why you are the ideal person for the job.
- Refer to your CV but use different language. Make these relevant to job and employer.
- Examples - back up a statement by including a scenario from the workplace. This will enable the reader to analyse your logic and thought process.
- Try not to distort the truth in your covering letter. An employee may use this as a basis to direct questions to you during an interview.
- If you are not applying for a specific role then you need to be slightly broader in your content:
- Research the company and try to understand what they look for in employees
- Call up the company and get the name of a decision maker to ensure it lands on their desk, otherwise it may get lost in the internal post.
- Ask for a particular action - for example: ask for a reply or for an interview.
- In the body of your letter try and include as much of your experience as you can but be factual.
- Mirror language that the company has used on their website.
- Follow up the letter with a phone call to check your application has arrived. Leave this for a few days to enable delivery of the letter and also giving the reader chance to actually go through your CV in detail.
