Cover letters: the golden rules
A carefully-crafted covering letter can demonstrate your commitment to the job,
primary motivation in applying and sparkling personality all in one letter - and
make all the difference to a recruiter's decision to ask you in for interview.
Once you’re happy with your CV, the next thing is to make your cover letter equally impressive. While your CV is a formal record of your skills and achievements, your covering letter’s job is to tell the recruiter why they should read your CV. It is another opportunity to personalise each application – a vital part of the process.
Rule 1: names are important
Always address your letter to a particular person. If you are unsure of whom to send it to, ring up and find out their name and job title. Don’t make the mistake of not paying attention to detail, calling a male contact Mrs or a married woman Miss isn't going to reflect on you very well. Whilst it may only seem like a small thing to consider, the CV and cover letter are personal marketing tools. It’s also a good idea to double check that the letter is addressed to the correct company.
Rule 2: it’s not what you say, it’s the way that you say it
You should kick-start your letter with a short introductory paragraph explaining which job you are applying for, where you found out about the position and company and why you have decided to apply.
The main part of your letter should further explain your reasons for applying to that particular organisation and tell the recruiter that you have done your research and understand the requirements of the role. Make sure you read through the job advert and company website for information about the company and the role. Beware – recruiters are experts at spotting blanket covering letters. Each and every one needs to be tailored to the specific job and organisation you are applying to.
Rule 3: sell yourself
Make it clear why you are right for the job. Having identified the selection criteria, it is important that you match these with your application and explain why you are right for the job. Again, these need to be as relevant as possible, highlighting and elaborating upon achievements in your CV. Be confident but not arrogant. Include information that is not on your CV but is particularly relevant to the role.
Rule 4: accuracy is important
Aim for one side of A4 with the same quality paper and font style as your CV. Covering letters are also a quick and easy way of assessing your verbal written skills, so the same rules about checking for spelling, grammar or typos still apply and probably more so on your letter. Don’t rely on spellcheck or even your own English skills. Get at least one other person to check both your covering letter and CV before you send them.
Rule 5: short is sweet
The best advice is to keep your covering letter simple, with a formal yet friendly tone. Remember that, as with your CV, a recruiter will probably have a pile of applications to read through, so you need to make sure your letter is succinct and makes an impact. After all, the easier it is to read and the quicker you get to the point, the more likely you are not to get overlooked. Your letter should be no longer than a page and ideally no more than three or four paragraphs. End on a positive note, reaffirming both your suitability and enthusiasm for the position. You can be very proactive and finish with, ‘I will contact you next week to see how my application is progressing’ – but make sure that you do!
Rule 6: don’t forget to sign your letter
Sounds obvious but you’d be surprised at the number of people who forget!
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