How to write an excellent Cover Letter
Published on Nov 20, 2015
Along with your CV, the cover letter is often the first chance you’ll get to impress an employer, yet they are often rushed and unconsidered. Here’s our guide on what to how to write a cover letter to get the attention your job application deserves.
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
How to write an excellent Cover Letter
What to write to get the attention your application deserves.
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Give It Time
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You may spend hours on your CV, but there is no point if you’re going to blow it on a half-arsed cover letter. You need to spend at least an hour considering, composing and checking the perfect letter that is going to do you justice.
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Know your audience
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What sector are you applying to? You might need something a little more creative. Are you applying to a live advertisement or sending out a speculative letter? Are you a graduate or a career changer? This reason will also reflect how you should write and present your cover letter.
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Know the role you're applying for
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Scrutinise the job description and really understand what their requirements are. Research the company, what do they do? What is the person specification? Are there any essential or desirable criteria? Make it clear how you meet these criteria This could be through your previous roles, training or qualifications, or through pure life experience.
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Tailor to every application
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If there’s one thing you do after reading this, let it be tailoring your application. It’s a competitive market so you simply won’t stand out with a generic CV and cover letter, or even one that is clearly copied from an old one. We’ve experienced many incidents of applications to the wrong company name. You may laugh (or cringe) but it’s an easy mistake to make when you use copy and paste in a rush to get an application in.
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Provide evidence of your suitability for the role. Make a note of a few examples of how you match each of the criteria they require. You’ll then use these examples to frame your cover letter to make sure it shines out from the other applicants.
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Get the format right
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The format is the first impression, if they just look at it and think ‘Urgh’ then it’ll be in the bin within the second. Structure your Cover Letter like a professional letter, but keep it short, positive and to the point. No one wants to read an essay and nor do any recruiters even have the time to!
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Remember, it's not your CV
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Your cover letter should compliment your CV, not repeat it. Consider what you would like to highlight that you couldn’t necessarily get across in your CV, or would like to expand on. Don’t just pull the same content into your cover letter that they will also read on your CV, it’s a waste of a valuable resource and promotional opportunity.
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Good luck!
If you want support in finding roles to apply for, contact the GB Solutions recruitment team
Call 01242 412999 or email info@gbsolutions.co.uk
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