Writing a covering letter

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 ... more

I am currently out of work, but am still in the processes of sending off at least half a dozen or so applications for work each and every week of the year - not just because I have to owing to the fact that I am also currently signing and need to, but also because I just like many other people at present who are going to be in a similar situation to me actually do want to have a job. No matter what it is, either! A lot of the jobs that I am currently going for ask that I send in my CV, and attach to that a covering letter with many more further details about myself. But I and I am sure there ... more

Following up my last opinion on ‘succeeding at interviews’ I thought I’d take a step back and 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 covering letter is in an easy ... more

About a year ago I went for a promotion in my company, as it happens I didn’t get the job – however, the managers said that out of all the applications mine was the most professional. Covering letters – do you find them easy or hard? 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 ... more

When I write covering letters I typically get dozens of interviews. I did not always get this response, over time I 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 a friend to read through it as you ... more