How do I write How do I write a a

covering letter?covering letter?

A Covering letter ? What’s A Covering letter ? What’s that?that?

Simply put, a cover letter is the letter you send along with your CV when you are applying for a job.

The cover letter is supposed to give the company a brief overview of who you are, what you have to offer and why you should be considered for the vacancy.

It is your chance to out shine the competition .

What should a cover What should a cover letter include?letter include?The easiest way to remember

what you need in a cover letter is Who, What, Why and When . . .

Covering letters Covering letters Who Who are you writing to? If

possible, get a name to address your letter to and try to find out something about the company. This will enable you to put in facts and information that are relevant to the company.

What ?What ?What are you applying for? Begin by clearly

stating the title of the job you are applying for. The company may have several positions so make it easy for them to see which one you're interested in. The easiest way to do this is with a sub-head in your letter like this:

Dear Mrs Brown        Re: Vacancy for

Administration Assistant (Yorkshire Evening Post 13/4/00)

     Please find enclosed my CV in application for the above vacancy . . . . . . . .

Why ? Why ? Why are you interested in the

vacancy – you like the sound of the job, you

have heard good things about the company, you want somewhere that will train you for bigger things.

Why Why And why should they consider you – you have experience of similar work, you

have good typing skills, you are organised, that sort of thing. At your stage, no-one expects you to have years of work experience, so use anything suitable. You could have done basic admin duties for a club or society, maybe you helped to organise a local event. Anything that shows you're suitable.

e.g. "you will note from my CV that my work for the local chess club has involved a range of administrative skills, which I feel would be very suitable for this role."

Why ? Why ? But be brief, they can get full

details from your CV. OK, you've got the skills mentioned,

but why are you a better bet than anyone else? Got any awards from school or local clubs? Done any charity work? Got your name in the paper (for a good reason)? Brag about it. You want them to know you are an achiever, so don't be afraid to boast. But again, keep it brief and refer them to your CV for more information.

When? When? Finally, let the company know

when you are available for an interview and (if you're already working) how much notice you need to give your present employer. Finish by thanking the person for considering you and letting them know how and when they can contact you for more information.

Before you Send Before you Send Check Your Facts

Double check to make sure you've got the basics. Are you addressing the letter to the right person? Have you got the right address? Are you applying for the right job? It all sounds basic, but you'd be amazed how many people apply for jobs they can't do, simply because they couldn't be bothered to read the advert properly.

Before you Send Before you Send Check Your Writing

If you send off a cover letter full of spelling mistakes and nonsensical grammar, you won't get past the bin. So before you seal the envelope, double and triple check for spelling mistakes and even ask someone else to read the letter for you. What makes sense to you may be absolute gibberish to someone else.

Before you Send Before you Send Be Your Own Editor Finally, be critical. You have to learn to edit yourself.

So read through the letter one last time and ask yourself:

Am I being clear? If your letter can't be understood, it's bin city.

Am I being concise? More than 4 paragraphs and you're on the boredom threshold.

Do I sound negative? Make sure you haven't said anything negative about yourself or anyone else, even if it is true! Never criticise your previous employer.

Do I sound like a second-hand car dealer? Being positive is one thing, being pushy is another.

Am I being serious? "Forget the rest, I'm the best" is only going to take your application in one direction - the shredder!