Write a great cover letter
Recruitment consultants tell us how to do it
Robert Half International
Mention three points that highlight your specific expertise in the area relevant to the job. Then mention three points explaining how your achievements show that you can add value to the company
Avoid making a letter too long - best to keep it to a maximum of 15 lines
Tailor it to the industry - a covering letter to a bank is unlikely to be the same as a letter to a media production company, which may offer more scope for creativity
Keep it succinct. If you elaborate, you lose the effect. Recruiters are busy people. When they're flicking through piles of applications, it's the cover letter that will get you in in the first place
Don't try to get your personality across in a cover letter. It's not really possible to do that without some kind of verbal communication. Save it for interview
Adecco
Give reasons for your suitability for the job. Emphasise relevant qualifications, experience, and interests
Use no more than one side of A4 paper
Use white or cream unlined paper. Envelopes should match the paper or be of 'office' type. Send the letter or application form flat; do not fold it
State clearly when you are available for interview
Manpower
Look at the job advert, pick out key words or skills, and include them in your covering letter
Keep your letter short, sharp, and concise. Any longer than an A4 page, and you will lose the interest of the recruiter. Bullet points can be good for highlighting particular points
Address your letter to the right person and be sure to spell their name correctly. There's nothing more annoying than getting a letter with an incorrectly spelt name. This immediately shows a lack of attention to detail
Check and double-check that your letter contains no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors
Kforce
Avoid starting your letter with tired phrases like "This letter is written in response to"; "Please consider this my application for the position of..."; "Enclosed please find". Plump for something specific to the job or organisation instead
Stay positive. Rather than "Despite the fact that I have minimal LAN experience," try, "Unlike others who have spent a lot of time doing this work, I bring something extra to the table."
Forget about modesty; this is the time to show off. Be careful, however. You want to appear confident, not arrogant
Work out what the needs of the organisation are, state them and then go on to show how you can fulfil them. If that's not possible, go for the sorts of things that are always valuable: leadership skills; cost-cutting successes; or contributions to company image
Thanks to...
Louise Oliver at Adecco, Helen Brocklehurst at Manpower and Nicole Gorton at Robert Half for their help with this piece.
Next: Part two: Blunders to beware
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