Cover letter for job application: How To Write A Covering Letter For Job Application

How To Write A Covering Letter For Job Application

The first and most important rule to submitting your application or CV is that you should always, ALWAYS send it with a covering letter. You should use your cover letter to highlight your talents and skills that are specific to the job, outline how you relate to the companies values and aspirations, and should be used whether you're sending a CV or an application form. Where your CV or application provides information about the skills you have for the post, your covering letter should expand upon your motivation and adaptability. Your covering letter should:

* show the employer that you are interested in the company and post;

* highlight the important skills and experience in your CV that relates to the job;

* expand upon information in your CV that isn't easily shown;

* if necessary explain any personal anomalies in your application.

Cover letters are an essential part of any application, and if you are reaching for a position at a higher level or in a dramatically different sector, or submitting speculative applications in the hope that your CV will land on an employers doorstep just as they are considering employing a new member. For candidates in these positions it is ESSENTIAL that your cover letter is well-written!

Style

* Make sure you address your letter to a person by name. If this means that you have to call the company to ask for a name for the recruitment that's even better because you'll make the effort when a number of applications probably won't, so you have an advantage already. This will guarantee that your application gets to the right person, and provides you with a contact name for a follow-up call or email to make sure the application has been received.

* Consider your application from the employer's point of view. Your cover letter should tell them in a concise way what you can contribute to the organisation. Make the whole content specific to the job, it will be no good to just send a standard letter with the job titles and addresses changed.

* If you want your covering letter to be read from start to end - and if you're serious about the job, then certainly you do - then you should make sure the letter is no more than one page long and with short and clearly themed paragraphs.

* If the role and/or organisation is creative, you should reflect this in your writing style. If the organisation is very formal, you should opt for a more traditional, formal covering letter.

Content

Content tips:

* Introduce yourself, state the role you are applying for and where you saw the advert. If writing a speculative letter, identify the type of work you are looking for.

* Confirm why you are interested in this type of work and suggest what you think this is is likely to involve, making reference to your experience of those skills required.

* Explain why you would like to work for this employer. Indicate your enthusiasm by making reference to the companies success, portfolio, values or achievements.

* Remind the employer why your are suitable for the job by highlighting relevant skills and experience, not just rewriting your CV, but giving specific examples of a time when you achieved well. Aim to show that your main strengths reflect the requirements for the job.

* If there are anomolies in your background, use your cover letter to explain these, such as recent time gaps (travelling, studying etc) or ways in which you do not match criteria listed in the job advert.

* Ensure there are no errors and spelling mistakes and that you have written the addresses.

* Finish by respectfully requesting an interview or an opportunity for an informal discussion.

* The letter should be typed, but a nice touch in formal letters is to use a fountain pen to hand write 'Dear ...' (with the recruiter's name) and 'Yours sincerely' with your name below (and typed below to ensure they can read your name).

Disclosure of disability

It may be that you have a disability which will not affect your ability to do the job, but perhaps you have concerns that the employer may not view you objectively if you declare your disability. It is not a legal requirement to declare disabilitys in your application, so you can make your own decision on this, but remember that there is a good chance that disclosure could highlight your personal skills and qualities in overcoming any disability to the employer.

By disclosing your disability you will automatically be provided access to equal opportunities and training schemes in place under current legislation. There may also be implications for the employer in terms of health and safety such as a requirement for workplace adaptations, which the employer will need to know, although funding is available to help employers make necessary changes.

However, if you do not disclose a disability on an applicaiton form when you are specifically asked, or on a medical form, this could give rise to dismissal at a later date.

If you disclose a disability in your covering letter, remember to be positive and highlight your skills and experience, and the additional skills you have obtained to overcome your disabiltiy.