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Do
You Need a Covering Letter?
A well-written covering letter can be one of the most important assets in your
search for a new career. Its purpose is to highlight your qualifications and to
demonstrate interest in a position or company so an interview will be granted.
Eliciting responses that result in interviews usually requires each letter be
individually tailored to the specific position/employer.
As a
covering letter forms your introduction to employers, it is important for your
letter to reflect your personality and style. Through your covering letter you
need to communicate confidence in your abilities and a willingness to contribute
to a company. The style of the letter should be conversational but also positive
and professional. Remember you want your covering letter to distinguish you from
other applicants.
Guidelines
- Be brief and concise -- covering letters
should not be more than a single page if possible.
- Communicate your message to employers,
using simple and direct language.
- Emphasise what you can do for the
employer, not what they can do for you.
- Leave out irrelevant information.
Don’t use a ‘flowery’ style.
- Use a good quality paper.
Style
Tips
Heading.
The
heading should include:
-
The
name, position and address of the person you are writing to
-
The
date
-
Any
reference number(s) for the position
Body.
Write
the letter with confidence and sincerity. It is the first example of your
writing. The introductory paragraph should contain why you are writing, how you
heard of the opening or company and the job title of the position you are
applying for. The middle paragraph(s) should explain why you are interested in
working for this employer and why you want this particular job. Show relevant
education and experience, but take care not to make it look like a copy of your
c.v. Try and convince them that they want and need you, by proposing a mutually
beneficial association. Differentiate yourself from other applicants and help
the employer feel the value those differences will make to his
company/department. Previously you should have researched the company and you
should try to demonstrate this knowledge in your letter. Try and convey some
clearly focused career goals that are relevant to the position/company.
Conclusion.
The
concluding paragraph should contain these essential items:
-
Mention you are enclosing your résumé and any supporting materials you
may be using to illustrate your training.
-
Close with "Yours Sincerely,".
-
Below your name type
"enclosure(s)" to indicate that your c.v. and/or other documents are
enclosed.
-
One technique used to
initiate further action is to designate a day and time when you will call.
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