Job seekers often spend hours perfecting their CV’s then hurriedly put together a covering letter and wonder why they don’t seem to be getting many interviews. A similar amount of time should be devoted to creating a covering letter.
A good covering letter complements your CV. It focuses on your particular qualifications and experience relevant to the job, and indicates what you can offer over and above the basic requirements of the position.
1. Stay relevant and keep it concise and punchy – a covering letter should only be one page in length
2. Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
3. Be concise and straight to the point.
4. Aim for only 2 paragraphs within the letter.
5. Always include your name and address at the top right hand corner.
6. Address the letter to the person that is recruiting the job you are applying for, don’t use ‘Dear Sir or Madam’.
7. Highlight your skills, experience and achievements relevant to the job
8. Use an appropriate font size and type – Times Roman or Arial in 10 point type are easy to read.
9. Tailor the letter for each individual application you make.
10. Always enclose a covering letter, even when applying for a job online.
