Writing a covering letter is one of the most important writing tasks that you will encounter in everyday life - it doesn’t matter how good your CV is if the prospective employer doesn’t get past your opening gambit. So it is definitely worth taking your time, composing something appropriate ... Read review
Advantages: Good skill to learn Disadvantages: Time consuming
Writing a covering letter is one of the most important writing tasks that you will encounter in everyday life - it doesn’t matter how good your CV is if the prospective employer doesn’t get past your opening gambit. So it is definitely worth taking your time, composing something appropriate and checking it carefully - a bit of an investment of time at this stage could mean that next month you’re starting work at the job you’ve always wanted.
... ...it is speculative (you haven’t seen a specific vacancy advertised, but would like them to consider you anyway), or whether you are responding to an advert. If you are responding to an advert, many of the clues about what you should write will be there. If the company is advertising for ‘well-travelled, spanish speaking sales executives, with experience of using Word’ then you need to identify the parts of your CV that show that you are the right ... more
Writing a covering letter is one of the most important writing tasks that you will encounter in everyday life - it doesn’t matter how good your CV is if the prospective employer doesn’t get past your opening gambit. So it is definitely worth taking your time, composing something appropriate and checking it carefully - a bit of an investment of time at this stage could mean that next month you’re starting work at the job you’ve always wanted.
The content of your letter depends on whether it is speculative (you haven’t seen a specific vacancy advertised, but would like them to consider you anyway), or whether you are responding to an advert. If you are responding to an advert, many of the clues about what you should write will be there. If the company is advertising for ‘well-travelled, spanish speaking sales executives, with experience of using Word’ then you need to identify the parts of your CV that show that you are the right person and highlight them. That way they will know that you aren’t wasting their time and you have given some thought to your application.
So you might write: “I recently got back from four months travelling in South America, and am looking for a job that will allow me to use my language skills. I speak fluent Spanish and achieved a distinction in the oral examination for my honours degree. While at university I spent two summers working in the sales department of XXX and am keen to develop my career in this field. I am highly computer literate, having completed two training courses in the evenings while at college, and have particular experience of Word, Excel and Powerpoint.” Everything that you’ve mentioned is on your CV as well.
A word here about standard letters. By all means find a format that you are happy with, and use it repeatedly, but beware of sending out reams of identical letters. You are far likelier to get a positive response if you have tailored your letter to the specific post on offer. The same is true for speculative applications - research the company and find out what kind of job might exist for you, then write your letter accordingly.
It’s best to keep your letter to one side of typed A4 - employers will probably have loads of applications to consider, and they don’t want to have to spend too long making their initial assessment. Be brief but to the point. If they want to know more...they’ll invite you for interview!
Another good idea is to examine what you feel are your major selling points, whether they are in the job specification or not. For example, if you are dedicated, punctual and enthusiastic, or enjoy working in a small team, or anything that you think might swing it for you, round up with it at the end. Your final paragraph might read something like ‘I am enthusiastic, meticulous, and committed to a career in proof-reading. I hope that you will consider my application and look forward to hearing from you’...
A few do’s and don’ts:
DO type your letter using a word processor or computer. Only handwrite if specifically requested to do so. DO be sure to include all your contact details (even though they’re on your CV, put them on the letter as well). DO address the letter to the right person (from the advert, or if you are applying speculatively ring the switchboard and find out who to address it to.) DO check your letter carefully and get someone else to read it too - once you’ve looked at something more than a couple of times it becomes harder to spot errors) DO make sure you’ve included all the material in support of your application (CV, personality quiz). They will not bother sending it back telling you you’ve missed something out!
DONT waffle or be unnecessarily formal or wordy. Judge the tone of your letter from the tone of the advert. DONT Make yourself sound impossibly wonderful, or go overboard describing your achievements, impressive though they may be. Employers know that things that sound too good to be true often are.
Advantages: A targeted covsering letter will work wonders & may get you an interview Disadvantages: Very boring, tiresome and an effort to write
...about the harder part of writing a covering letter.
Now I write all my covering letters in my email client, Netscape Messenger and in a Verdana font. Mainly because all the jobs I apply for are online and not through newspapers. So what you ask? Well the employer is more than likely to scan read your covering letter in his email client. If he likes what he reads he may print it for his records. So it’s probably a good bet to make sure the ... ...to problems is your major strength, examples can be made on request….”etc.
End the letter Yours Sincerely leave a few lines than insert your full name.
It may be very tiresome and demoralising writing covering letters, but if you want that job, it's the only way that works. ...
gideon 27.02.2001 (25.02.2001)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Writing a covering letter
Advantages: draw their attention to what you want them to see Disadvantages: can be read differently to how it is written
...I have been on the writing and the receiving end of them and have received some corkers. A particular one I remember was addressed to me – Helen Davis and it began: -
Dear Sir (!) Please see my attached CV. Yours Sincerely, Joe Bloggs (the name has been changed to protect the identity of this complete pillock!)
So what can we learn from this one? Always try to use the name of the person if you know it. And certainly don’t change their ... ...if you write Dear Sir/Madam, end your letter with ‘Yours faithfully’ and if you use their name end it with ‘Yours sincerely’. Don’t mix up the two or deviate to anything more familiar. Some of the applicants I have received I would not have been surprised by a “lots of love”!!
Your covering letter is an extension of your CV, drawing out salient points to 'wet' the companies appetite, it should draw their ...
pagan 30.04.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Writing a covering letter
Advantages: Can help your CV get noticed and help get you the job if done well. Disadvantages: Can earn you a place in the reject pile if done poorly.
...built up my skill in writing covering letters and as I did so the number of interviews spiraled. Therefore I have written down what I have learnt to help you shorten your own learning process of how to write good covering letters.
Presentation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Firstly make sure you type your letter and use excellent grammar. Do not rely on the computer spell and grammar checker, especially if this is using the U.S. dictionary. Also if possible get ... ...you are ready to start writing the bulk of the letter. Tackle one key skill per paragraph and say a couple of sentences about why you have that skill and why. E.g. ‘My degree course involved many course work projects. This improved my time management skills and to work on my own. I feel I am competent in this skill because I managed to never hand a piece of coursework in past its deadline.’
This is only a rough guide to give you an idea ...
student9824 01.03.2001 (02.03.2001)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Writing a covering letter
Advantages: Opportunity to sell yourself Disadvantages: Takes ages
...“Dear Sir,” when you are writing to Mrs Stella Smith, makes you look plain stupid and careless.
After the address and reference number, I then put in a little preamble mentioning where and when I saw the ad, and summarise briefly my current position as follows:
“I wish to apply for the above position as advertised on XX May 2001 in XXXXX.
“I feel that my skills and background closely match your requirements. I am currently employed as a pilot ... ...the last 300 years. This has provided an excellent background in hang gliding (or whatever), and a move to XYZ plc would enable me to make better use of my abilities.”
I then use the next section to note that I have included a CV or application form (or both if I am showing off) and draw their attention to what I consider to be the relevant points, strengths and achievements in the CV, as follows:
“I enclose an up to date copy of my CV and would ...
dave27 08.05.2001 (01.12.2001)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Writing a covering letter
Advantages: essential to your chances Disadvantages: can easily waffle on
...you are first of all writing to the said person . I.e Dear Mr X I write to regarding the vacancy in the Daily Z.
Then you should introduce yourself with a few basic facts and details and outline why you are suitable for the job . Point out any relevant experience and sell yourself .
Don't fall into the trap of becoming arrogant or repeating what is on your CV , but you must captivate your audience .
Finally ,say that you are available for interview ... ...asks for one.
I have known places where job applications have gone in the bin because the applicant has tried to save a few bob by omitting an SAE.
Getting a friend or relative to read the letter is often a good idea before you send it .They often spot things you with blinkered glasses on might have missed . One final point not all vacancies require a CV in the first instance . In this case ,your letter becomes even more important and there is ...
Gardenex 07.04.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Writing a covering letter
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Writing a covering letter"
Advantages: Loving our children - and letting them know it! Disadvantages: none!
and words that they will adhere to?
We could be gone today, tomorrow, many years from now, but why wait for them to know?
Write a letter. Write many letters as they are growing cover all bases, give them something in
addition to beautiful memories to look back on. They could be young and you could be gone Don't take tomorrow for granted.
Don't take your love for your children (or their love for you) for granted. Write a letter.
Copyright Scotlass/Scotlass71/P.Esposito ...
Advantages: Can get you a job. Disadvantages: Takes time and effort.
With a large number of the on-line recruitment web sites it is usually very easy to click on a link to apply for a job. Because this can be so easy it appears that a large number of applicants do not make a lot of effort when applying for on-line jobs. The art of writing a coveringletter seems to have been forgotten and often a skimpy, poorly prepared CV is all that is sent to the company advertising the post.
It is likely that a job advertised on-line will receive literally hundreds of applicants. The first job of the receiving company is to throw out any poorly prepared applications. At this stage very little is read of the applicants details and an excellent candidate may be discarded because they have not bothered to supply a coveringletter, or have not given all the required information. A large number of applicants seem to ...
Advantages: Gives the employer the exact information they are seeking from you. Disadvantages: Very tedious and lengthy to complete sometimes!
am writing in response to your advertised position of (insert job title) in (insert where you saw the position advertised) and enclose a completed application form for your perusal." Don't use words that you don't know the meaning of (worst thing to do, especially if you use them in the wrong context)!
A bulleted list of your key strengths is always useful to summarise to the employer your main skills so they can immediately see why you'd be worth interviewing. Don't make a list of 101 things you can do like "make tea", "answer phone", "take messages", etc, but emphasize things like "5 years supervisory experience", "2 years experience of leading project teams", "18 months experience in a call centre", etc.
Oh and it's best to type your coveringletter, unless they've specifically asked for a hand-written one!
TO CONCLUDE ...
