Covering Letter Template Structure
Your address Line 1
Address line 2
Postcode
Email: yourname@address.com
Telephone: 00000 000 000
Name of recruiter [First name and last name] Always address your cover letter
to a specific person – it is much more professional, and in doing so
you can be much more certain that your application will be delivered to
the right person Job title of your recruiter Company name Address line 1 Address line 2 Postcode
Date [day month year, (e.g. 17 January 2009)]
Dear Mr/Ms/Mrs. [Surname]
Your Job Title and Reference (if applicable, e.g. "Graduate Trainee - Audit/3889") |
Introduce yourself to the recruiter. Explain who you are, (e.g.
My name is Sam Sanders and I am currently studying for a BA in Geography
at the University of Manchester) and why are you writing to the
company/organisation. Make sure you point out where you found details of
the vacancy you are applying for and if appropriate, mention that you
have enclosed your
CV.
- (2) Why job/why industry?
Explain that you are interested in the job role applied for and
industry applied to. Explain what draws you to the job and industry,
when you first became interested in them and why you are interested. In
this paragraph you could also explain why you think you are suitable for
this type of industry/job role. It is important to use this paragraph
to engage with recruiters. You need to sound motivated and extremely
interested in the job or graduate scheme you are applying for.
Explain your interest in the company or organisation you are
applying to. Explain why you have applied to them specifically; mention
what sets them apart from their competitors. It is important to make it
clear you have done your research, and understand the role you are
applying for, the company culture, what the company are looking for, and
that your skills and competencies match those sought by the company.
Interview Gold can help you with a method of preparation that guarantees your success - click here for more information
In the final paragraph of your
cover letter
you must really sell yourself. Explain your relevant skills,
competencies and experience in detail and discuss why these would all be
of great use to the company or for the job role applied for. You need
to tick the recruiter’s boxes and make it clear you can add value to an
organisation. Be positive, be engaging and be enthusiastic. Try not to
sound arrogant or exaggerate too much, if you are invited to
interview you will have to back up any statements you make here!
Your covering letter conclusion needs to be sharp. Do not close
with the phrase “I look forward to hearing from you” because this is an
open invitation to your prospective employer to write back and say
“thanks, but no thanks”. State that “I look forward to discussing my
application with you in further detail” or “I look forward to discussing
my skills, competencies and values in greater detail”. For smaller
organisations, it can sometimes be useful to state when you are free for
interview, or dates when you are not available, booked holidays for example.
- (6) Yours sincerely/signature
Always end your covering letter with "Yours sincerely" if you have addressed it to a named contact (e.g. Mr. Adam
Smith) or with "Yours faithfully" if you have not addressed it to anyone specific.
Remember that the purpose of a
cover letter
is to pitch yourself to an employer; you must be positive and engaging
throughout and try to lead your recruiter to want to call you right now
to invite you for
interview.
No comments:
Post a Comment