Cover letters
When you apply for a job your CV or Resume can be accompanied with a cover letter. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself and outline exactly why you believe you are the right candidate for the job.
A cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a short letter which accompanies your CV or Resume. Your cover letter is the first impression an employer has of you, if your cover letter stands out, they will go on to read your CV. An employer may look at a cover letter for only 6 seconds before they decide to read further or not.
It is good practice to send or hand out a cover letter with your CV. As all employers are different, it is best to provide all the information when first applying for the job.
What is the difference between a CV and a cover letter?
What goes into a good cover letter?
When you see a job advertised that you really want, make sure you tailor your cover letter to the job description and the list of skills required, if you are confident that you have these set skills.
A cover letter should:
A good cover letter is clear and straight to the point and it should be focussed on only one job. You should first clearly state your main reasons for choosing that organisation as your preferred place to work. Tell the employer why you are interested in the position at that organisation and what you can offer them - this is important.
It is a good idea to do research on the company as well, so you can say why you want to work for them specifically and express to them how you would add value to their working environment.
Always use full sentences and paragraphs in a cover letter. It should be no longer than a page in length and makes use of professional wording (avoid common fraises like ‘a well rounded person’).
Direct your cover letter to an employer, if their name is not on the job advert, contact the company to ask or do further research to find who to direct it to. This will show you are able to go the extra mile for the role. Pay close attention when writing your cover letter and ensure that you are not addressing it to the incorrect employer.
How to write a Cover Letter
Paragraph one
Identify which job you are applying for and where the job was advertised (in case the organisation has multiple jobs being advertised at once).
Paragraph two
Briefly explain your current situation - what you’re currently studying/working towards, your experiences and your suitability for the job in general.
Paragraph three
Provide more details on your situation - talk about any placements you’ve done or are doing during your studies, what skills you have that will support you to get the job, any career plans that include this job and any other relevant factors.
Paragraph four
Do your research about the company - what are their values/goals/aspirations? Do any of these match your own in your career goals? How would you add value to their team environment? Here you are telling them why they should employ you.
Paragraph five
Closing paragraph - thank the employer for their time and provide contact details so they are able to contact you (please make sure your answer phone message is a professional one).
Your cover letter can make you stand out of the crowd.
Cover letter template
Use this template to help with the structure and layout of your cover letter.
Here is an example cover letter using this template.
