A covering letter is the document that accompanies your CV when you apply for a job. It is an essential part of any job application which needs to be attention grabbing whilst being concise. It acts as a personal introduction and gives you the opportunity to explain to an employer why you are the best candidate for the job.
Unlike a CV, which is an overview of your skills, work experience and accomplishments, a covering letter highlights your relevant skills and job experiences and is tailored to the job you are applying for.
A covering letter should include the following:
A covering letter follows similar structure to a normal letter.
Place your contact information at the top, include a salutation, date and subject – the name of the position (and reference number if applicable).
First paragraph – the introduction should set out why you are applying for the job, state the position you are applying for and where you saw the job advertised.
Second paragraph – show why you are suitable for the job, why you would like to work for this particular company and what you can offer.
Third paragraph – this is about you – here you can include why the job appeals to you and how your relevant qualifications, job experiences and skills match the specific job requirements. Your covering letter should not be a copy of your CV, instead it should highlight your most notable achievements and then show how these skills can benefit the employer.
Final paragraph – conclude your covering letter by thanking them for their consideration and mention that your CV is attached. You can indicate that you would be available for an interview and that you are looking forward to receiving their response.
Closing – use ‘Yours sincerely’ if you have used their name, or ‘Yours faithfully’ if you had addressed them as ‘Sir/Madam’. Finally, include your signature and name.
Employers receive lots of job applications so you need to ensure that your letter makes a lasting impression for the right reasons.
