An often neglected area of job applications, the covering letter can enhance your chances of being selected to attend an interview, therefore unless you are specifically asked to not attach one, it is worth spending time and effort writing one.
Like the CV it should be tailored for each specific job application, see it as a further opportunity to enhance your application for the role, aligning it closely to the business and job you are applying for. Use it to bring attention to your key achievements, and to further outline your breadth of experience and abilities which make up your unique selling points and would be of further interest to their business.
Concisely written, give the covering letter careful thought, ensuring detail is paid to grammar and format, whilst keeping it to one page.
Key pointers:
- Ensure it is addressed properly, including the name of the individual it must go to.
- State the job you are applying for, giving any reference details, and where you saw the job advertised.
- Include the reasons the job interested you, and why the company interests you.
- Expand on details that you have put into your CV and will be of interest to their business. Draw their attention to any skills, and experience that are pertinent to the role.
- A well constructed covering letter can be the difference between you and another candidate, take the time to tailor your letter fully, even when using a standard template covering letter as your starting point.
Files available to download
-
Example covering letter 1 (MS Word)
an example of a covering letter for a job application -
Example covering letter 2 (MS Word)
an example of a covering letter for a job application
