Covering Letter Hints & Tips

It is important to write a covering letter to support every CV that you submit to an employer. The only exception is when you apply on-line and there is no opportunity to do so.

The covering letter is just as important as your CV so it is important to spend time on ensuring it’s appropriateness to the job and/or company for which you are applying.

When you write to an employer you are doing so either in response to an advertisement or because you are interested in applying to the company in the hope that they will have a vacancy in the future for which your details can be considered. The latter is known as a speculative application.

There are differences in how you should approach writing your covering letter dependant upon the type of application you are submitting. They are as follows:

Applying to an Advertisement

1. Read the advertisement thoroughly and highlight the key words and the essential criteria specified within it.
   
2. Consider and write down your own skills and abilities related to these key words and essential criteria. Use this information within the main text of the letter. (After the opening paragraph).
   
3. Mark the letter for the attention of a person not “Dear Sir or Madam”. If the advertisement does not state a person’s name then ring the company and ask who is dealing with applications.
   
4. Use a reference line highlighting the job for which you are applying. This is important if employers’ are dealing with a number of vacancies simultaneously.
   
5. The opening paragraph should explain briefly where you saw the advertisement.
   
6. The next paragraph is the main paragraph and should:
   :: highlight your skills and abilities as mentioned in 2 above;
   :: highlight any particular parts of your CV that you wish the employer to take note of;
   :: indicate the reasons why you are applying for the position and
   :: indicate why you wish to work for the company.
   
7. The final paragraph should:
   :: detail any information requested in the advertisement that has not already been covered in the letter;
   :: when you are available for an interview and
   :: a thank you to the employer for considering your application.

Applying Speculatively to a Company

The covering letter for a speculative application has some differences to that of applying for a specific job vacancy. They are as follows:

1. Use a reference line highlighting the job for which you would like to apply or the area of the company where you would like to work e.g. accounts.
   
2. The opening paragraph should explain:
   :: why you are interested in working for the company;
   :: what area of work you would wish to work in and why.
   
3. The final paragraph should:
   :: detail any information requested in the advertisement that has not already been covered;
   :: when you are available for an interview and
   :: a thank you to the employer for considering your application.

Presentation of your CV

• Preferably type the covering letter rather than hand write it.
• Always ensure that you personally sign the letter.
• Use professional font styles and sizes. (Do not use too many different styles and sizes).
• Spell check and grammar check the CV.
• Ensure there are white spaces and well spaced paragraphs.
• Ensure the letter is no more than one (A4) page in length.
• Print out your CV on quality paper (not too thick) using a laser printer.

For further information contact Complete People Management Ltd
at www.completepeoplemanagement.co.uk or at info@completepeoplemanagement.co.uk or on 0870 224 0919