What to cover in a letter?

Including a covering letter with your CV can demonstrate motivation, commitment and initiative. A covering letter gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills, and an extra chance to state why the recruiter should read your CV.

1. Presentation: Make sure the presentation of your covering letter is of the highest standard. Find out who the letter should be addressed to (if there’s no name on the job advert, then make the effort to ring the company and find out their name). Did you know 60% of covering letters and CV’s are addressed to the wrong person? Make sure you’re in the 40% that are right! Also, put the job title and reference number (if there is one) at the top of your letter, and avoid exceeding one page.

2. Content: Focus on the company rather than yourself. Read the advert thoroughly and try to mimic the terminology used within the advert and supporting information (job description and person specification). Make sure you match the aspects they’ve outlined as their ‘needs’ to your skills.

3. Structure: Open your letter by stating why you are writing, identifying the position you’re applying for and how you heard about the position. Next, explain what interests you about the job, and then focus on how their organisation would benefit if they were to employ you. State what strengths (skills and experience) you have and relate them to the job in question. Describe past achievements, relate them to the vacancy. Finally, refer the reader to your enclosed CV for further information and thank them for their time.

4. Detail: Include detail about the company. Show the reader you have done your research on the company, mention some of the organisation’s specific projects in your covering letter. For example, “An aspect of your organisation that really attracted me was the amount of projects you undertake within the community. The ‘EXAMPLE’ project really impressed me; the whole process seemed incredibly well structured with a clear vision. The results within the community are really inspiring. To see an organisation encourage residents to improve their skills and therefore further their prospects to that extent is very rare - and the thought of being involved in such an organisation is something that really appeals to me.”

5. Why you? Throughout the covering letter, you should be answering the question of ‘Why you?’. The whole purpose of the letter is to convince the recruiter that you are the right person for the job, and therefore they should read your CV and invite you for interview. Emphasis your positive assets, past accomplishments and personal qualities – remember to keep it in line with the potential employers needs.

6. Last few pointers: If you are sending the covering letter in physical format, make sure you print on a high quality paper. If, however, you are sending it digitally, include the covering letter in the main body of the e-mail and attach the CV as a document. Finally, get someone to proof read the letter before you send it off. Everyone makes mistakes – better to be safe than sorry!

Good luck!