Write a Good CV “How to”
Friday, December 16th, 2011How to write the perfect cover letter
Often people look at covering letters as something that isn’t required however from experience I can ay that covering letters work wonderfully in putting messages across to potential employers. As a Job seeker you need to portray a personal yet professional outlook to any potential employer, having a good covering letter will most definately steer you in the right direction.
Note: Although the following comments will generally apply to most covering letters, the most important thing to keep in mind regarding this letter is that it must be unique, both to you and to your prospective employers. Most employers these days are used to generic templates and sick to death of mail-merged letters that have been sent to a hundred different places with only the company name changed. In a few cases, people have forgotten even to do this! Suddenly the covering letter goes from the icing on the cake of success to the final nail in the coffin of failure… Above all, make it personal “Make it Wow!”
Step 1: Any letter should start with…
.. A relevant address
More specifically, your address (and contact details) in the top right hand corner. After that, start the letter with the name and address of your employer. Try to find out exactly who will be dealing with your application and what their title is. You can do this by checking on the internet, or even ringing the company and asking. It gives the letter a much more personal touch if it is addressed to a real person rather than a generic sir/madam.
There’s no set way to write a covering letter, always plan out the structure so that nothing is repeated and make sure you get your personality / points across. Always watch; Clarity, Intelligence & Conciseness
When opening a letter keep it simple, start ensuring you tell them what you want / looking for. Always prompt with the position you are applying for.
Why is the job good for me?
Once you have broken the ice, it is time to make clear to your prospective employer what exactly it is about the job that attracts you. Why do you want the job? Again, the key is to deal in specifics. Although your main motivation may be “for the money” or some such, it is better to try and pick one aspect of the job that particularly appeals to you and explain why. If you are applying to become a writer at a newspaper, and you are interested in travel, then try to marry the two together.
Why am I good for the job?
Now that your reader knows the job is right for you, it’s time to move on and show that you are right for the job. Here is the place to address your strengths and qualifications that are directly relevant to the position. If there are specific requirements that are mentioned in the job description, use these terms when describing yourself. You may have touched upon some of this in your CV, but here you have room to elaborate upon them more fully. Try not to repeat too much of your CV though. After all, this is supposed to be read in conjunction with your CV, and a lot of crossover will come across as sloppy. It is good to frame the strengths and merits that you mention in real life examples. If you are trying to put across that you are good with people, give evidence of this.
You can use your examples to bring in additional skills that may not be directly relevant. Working in things such as IT skills, or your organisational skills is a good idea. Try to offer the reader something unique and beneficial. Use interesting examples that cast you in a separate light to others applying for the position.
Closing remarks..
Finish by telling the employer when you are free for interview and by stating the earliest date of which you are free to start work. Invite the employer to contact you if they require any further information. Always sign the letter to add a personal, professional touch.
By approaching the cover letter in a structured manner, you can achieve a clear and concise argument as to why you are best suited to the job. Remember that presentation can reflect strongly or poorly on you. If your letter has no clear sections and rambles on, repeating itself, the reader may consider that you lack the discipline and organisational skills that are so important to most modern workplaces. The covering letter, like the CV informs your prospective employer’s first impressions of you.
Make sure your covering letter says everything you wanted to say about you.
Want to find out more about CvWow and how they can help you as a job seeker?, visit Stephen Joell-Ireland, Marketing Manager at CvWow.com to find out What they can do for your needs.