COVER LETTERS

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When possible your CV should always be accompanied by a covering letter. Use it to put your CV in context with the position or organisation, outlining how you relate to its values, ethos and aspirations. While your CV sets out the skills you have for the post, your covering letter more explicitly presents your motivation and adaptability. A covering letter should:

• demonstrate to the employer your interest in and knowledge of the company;
• highlight particular parts of your CV that are your unique selling points;
• give additional information that does not fit easily into a CV;
• explain any personal circumstances or anomalies in your application.

A well-written covering letter is essential for speculative applications.

Style

• Address your letter to a named person, even if this means you have to phone the company to ask for the name of the person who deals with recruitment. This will ensure that it reaches the right person. It also gives you a contact name for a follow-up call or email.
• Think from the employer’s perspective rather than your own. Tell them what you can contribute to the organisation rather than how it can benefit you. Do not send them a standard letter with only the key details changed.
• Your covering letter should be no more than one page long and with short and clearly themed paragraphs - aim for no more than four paragraphs as a rule.

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Content

Use the following format as a guide for your letter:

• Briefly introduce yourself, state the post you are applying for and where you saw it advertised. For a speculative letter, specify the type of work you are looking for.
• Explain why you are interested in this type of work and show an understanding of what it is likely to involve.
• Explain why you are interested in working for this particular employer. Demonstrate enthusiasm and evidence of research into such aspects as their successes, involvements, values or clients.
• Highlight what makes you suitable for this position. Provide evidence of your key strengths by referring to experience listed on your CV. Aim to show that your key strengths reflect their requirements.
• Take the opportunity, if necessary, to explain any anomalies in your background, such as time gaps or ways in which you do not match the selection criteria. Perhaps explain how any hurdles you have encountered have helped you develop in a positive way.
• If the role and organisation are creative, you should reflect this in your writing style. If the organisation is formal, you are more likely to be successful if you write a formal covering letter.
• Ensure there are no errors and spelling mistakes and that you have written the addressee’s name correctly.
• Respectfully request 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 to sign ‘Yours sincerely’.

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Disclosure of disability

If you have a disability, you may feel that it does not affect your ability to do the job, but that the employer may not view you objectively if the disability is declared. Disclosure before interview is not a legal requirement, 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 to the employer.

Disclosure also improves your access to equal opportunities and training schemes in place under current legislation. There may be a health and safety implication, e.g. a requirement for workplace adaptations, which the employer needs to know from the outset. Also, funding is available to help employers make necessary changes.

Failure to disclose a disability on an application form when you are specifically asked, or on a medical form, could give rise to dismissal later on.

These sample CVs give ideas about how to refer positively to relevant experience related to your disability.

You may choose to disclose a disability in your covering letter. Remember to be positive and highlight the skills you have gained as a result of your disability. If there are matters likely to be of concern to an employer, you may wish to deflect them by suggesting to s.olutions, or giving examples of how you have successfully dealt with these challenges in the past.

 

LETTER TEMPLATE

 

Select several suitable sentences from those below to include in your covering letter.

 

I would like to apply for the position of ……as advertised with…….

I am very interested in the ………vacancy you currently have available.

I have over …… years of experience in …… gained while working at ……. and ……..  as a ……….

 During my ……years with …. as a …… I gained considerable experience in working with…….

 I qualified in….. and trained to …..

 While working at …… I achieved …….

 I have …. years experience of  …… from my time working with …….

 I also have used.... and…….while working as a …… at …….

 During the time I worked at ……. I used/did …….. for …….years/months

 I have an excellent record of commitment to work and I was awarded a ……. at…… for……..

I would be available for interview at any time and I have attached my CV for your reference.

 Please find enclosed  / attached  my CV to further support my application. I would be pleased to hear from you soon and would be available for interview at short notice.

Letter...Examples of how to, and how not to do it!

 

A Covering Letter that requires some work – How not to do it!

 

Personal Department
ABC Fabricators
Needle Street,
Christford
GH3 4IJ

Dear Sir,

I recently saw an advertisement for a Manufacturing Manager in your organnisation and would like to apply for it.

I am very interested in the post as I am certain it will help me further my career. I have attached my CV which shows that I have worked in similar positions in the past I think I have the neccssary requirements for the job and I hope that you will feel the same.

I am available for interview at any time and I will call you next week to arrange the best day and time.

 

Yours Faithfully,

G. Carter

 

 

Points to note:

• There are no contact details other than the address

• The letter is not dated

• The letter starts with Dear Sir and ends with Yours Faithfully

• The letter does not identify where the advertisement was seen or what job reference number is being referred to

• There are spelling and grammar errors  (organisation, neccessary)

• The emphasis is on how the job will help the individual; not how the individual can help the organisation.

• It is opinionated; i.e. ‘I think….’

• The last paragraph is telling the recipient when they will be contacted – this is too pushy

• There is no ‘Thank you’ prior to signing off

• The letter ends without any reference to the applicants first name

 

A good covering letter – How best to do it!

 

Mrs. D. Smith
Head of Operations
ABC Fabricators
Needle Street
Christford
GH3 4IJ

21st February 2010

 Dear Mrs Smith,

I am writing in response to your advertisement for the position of Manufacturing Manager, job reference MM1273, which appeared in the Sunday Gazette on the 15th February. 

I am very interested in the post and as you will see from my CV I have extensive experience in Manufacturing and its related disciplines, having held Senior Management posts in this area for a number of years. I am an energetic individual who is committed to a team based culture and who is familiar with the challenges of business. I am confident that I have the necessary balance of skills and attributes that you are seeking.

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss and explore how my experiences and achievements meet your requirements.

Thank you,

Best Regards,

George Carter

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Points To note:

• The letter is well laid out with all relevant contact details provided

• The letter is dated

• The letter is addressed to a named person and ends with Best Regards (could equally be ‘Yours sincerely’)

• The letter clearly states where the job advertisement was seen and identifies the job reference number
  
  
• There are no spelling or grammar errors
  
  
• The emphasis is on what the applicant has to offer the job and includes

• additional aspects that may not be in the CV
  

• The letter is factual and written in a confident manner

• The last paragraph invites the recipient to arrange a follow up meeting

• The letter ends with a ‘Thank you’

• It is clear who the letter is from