A great covering letter is a short, memorable way of introducing yourself and your CV to an employer. Here are our tips to help you write yours...
Take your time
This letter is your first point of contact with a prospective employer, so it needs your full care and attention. Some experts say you?ve got just 40 seconds to grab your reader's attention before they start thinking about the next applicant?s letter.
Do your homework
To make sure your letter stands out, research the company you?re applying to and introduce what you know into your letter. For instance, if you?re applying to a restaurant that?s just been refurbished, mention this fact. Always call the company and find out to whom you should personally address the letter, rather than simply marking it for the Human Resources department.
Don't be shy
As with your CV, don?t be afraid to highlight your achievements. Include figures, if possible, that back up any claims you make.
Read the job advert
Your covering letter should include any additional information asked for in the job ad that is not covered by your CV. By leaving out information that?s asked for, such as your current salary, you run the risk of being immediately rejected.
Say you?re available
Make a point of saying that you?re available for interview whenever is convenient for your prospective employer. And make sure you highlight your contact details in the letter as well as your CV, including a mobile phone number and email address if you have them.
Check the letter
A covering letter with spelling mistakes or typos in it can only make a bad impression. Once you've written each letter, read it back to yourself slowly, look closely at every word. Professional proofreaders often read text backwards to stop themselves from skipping words as they read. Try it. It?s easy to to check your work too quickly and miss an obvious mistake. It pays to have a couple of friends look at your letter and give you feedback too.