Covering letters to accompany CVs are getting less and less frequent, in the UK at least, with more and more employers requiring a completed application form instead. This means many people really have no idea how to write a great covering letter that makes you stand out from the crowd, shows your personality and highlights all the relevant points.
So, what would you do if you were asked to provide a covering letter to go with your CV? Would you know what to include and how to set it out? If you don’t, read on for five top tips for covering letter success.
- The covering letter is the only place you’ll have to show your personality, so it’s prudent to make sure you take your time over it. It’s a good idea to do a little bit of research about the company and their products. And, if you can squeeze it into the natural flow of your letter, do it. However, don’t crowbar it in there and make your letter look all wrong. You could say something like ‘I’ve wanted to work for you ever since you released the latest version of the Mini Cooper – I love it!’ It might also be useful to read as much as you can about the company on their website and incorporate the same kind of language into your letter.
- Remember to let your personality shine through. When you are evaluated for a new job it is for your personality as much as your skills. Think about it, the people hiring you may have to work with you for long periods of time, so they want someone who is going to fit in with the general feeling in the office. To show that you are that person, use language that’s appropriate to the company you are applying to. So, if it’s a young, dynamic advertising firm, make your writing young, fresh and snappy. And, if it’s a formal setting, make sure you write in a formal way.
- Keep it simple and don’t repeat stuff! Your covering letter should be pretty simple, just one or two paragraphs that should show off your personality, your reasons for wanting to work for the company and what you know about the company. Don’t go over stuff that they can read on your resume, such as education and skills. You should also aim to keep the layout and content of your covering letter simple. Use a plain font, usually Times New Roman in size 12, and quality plain white paper.
- Include social media. If you have a number of social media accounts it may be worth including links to them in your letter. I realise that may sound a little weird, but it’s not really as most employers will have a little look to see if they can find you online whether you include links or not. But, be warned, only do this if there’s nothing you’d be ashamed of on your timeline. Pictures of you on drunken nights out might not go down too well if you are applying for a job as a teacher, but may work wonders if you are applying for a job as a bar manager in a young, trendy place!
- And to finish off, a bit of general advice that applies to all writing you produce – make sure you check your writing thoroughly. Proofread, proofread and proofread again before you even consider sending your letter off, checking anything you are not sure about. The last thing you want to do is lose the job because you can’t spell correctly!
Try these tips and see if they help you land that dream job.
Good Luck!
Written by Shelley Bowers
