What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a one-page document sent alongside your CV when applying for a job.
The purpose of a cover letter is to provide a summary of your professional background and to market your suitability, skills, and experience to recruiters, highlighting why you're the best candidate for the role.
A cover letter is sent alongside your CV and helps to strengthen your application, drawing attention to key aspects of your CV that are relevant to the job. It acts as a personal introduction and elaborates on how your experience and skills align with the job profile, highlighting in greater detail what you can bring to the role and wider business and helps to sell your application.
Evidence how your skills and experiences match with those required
Research the company online to learn more about them and to get a sense of the company culture. Read the Job advertisement thoroughly and be sure to evidence how your skills and experiences match with those required - line by line if necessary. Even if its transferable skills you have acquired in previous roles, they all count.
Writing a strong cover letter should form part of your job search strategy
Writing a strong principal cover letter that can be modified when you apply for a new role is a key step in your job search quest and should form part of your job search strategy.
Ok, so now you know what it is and the purpose it serves, let’s take a look at how to structure a winning cover letter.
The introduction
Addressing your letter – how to address your cover letter and who to address it to.
Today, job searching is conducted mostly online through using job sites many with facilities to upload your documents to sections of the site, or options to create CV profiles and cover letters on the platforms. So, if you’re faced with submitting your application with no obvious recipient, what is the best approach to take?
There are some simple ways to structure the salutation on your cover letter when you don't know the name of the recipient such as ‘Dear Hiring Manager.
Alternatively you can visit How to Address a Cover Letter & Who to Address It To (zety.com) for inspiration on how to suitably address your cover letter and who to address it to.
Main Content
Opening paragraph - Why are you reaching out?
The opening paragraph should define why you’re writing to them. Begin by stating the vacancy you are applying for and where you saw it advertised.
Example:
I am writing to apply for the role of Training Manager currently being advertised on ZXJobs.c0m Please find attached my CV for your consideration and as formal application.
Second paragraph – How you meet the job requirements?
Briefly describe how your relevant professional and academic skills and experience match the specific requirements of job description and person specification ensuring you refer to the skills listed in the job description. Additionally, you should discuss how your core strengths will add value to role and benefit the company.
Example:
As you can see from my attached CV I have over ten years’ experience in the Training Industry and have spearheaded range of employee and organisational training programmes specifically created to enhance the effectiveness of the workforce. I believe the knowledge and skills built up during this time make me the perfect candidate for the role.
Third paragraph - Quantify your accomplishments – what can you bring to the role
Outline your career successes making it relevant to the position you are applying for and expand on transferable skills. Discuss what attracted you to the role and why you're a suitable candidate including live examples to evidence this. You can further elaborate by showcasing what you can offer the organisation and quantifying your accomplishments.
Example:
In my current role as Training Manager at XTraining Ltd, I was responsible for increasing revenue by 53% in year one roll-out of our associate training scheme and successfully implemented a manager development programme increasing staff knowledge by 31% over a two-year period.
For insight in how to highlight your career accomplishments and align your skills with the employer's requirements within your cover letter visit Tips to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out | Monster.com
Concluding paragraph - Reiterate your interest in the role
The final paragraph is used to confirm your interest in the post and briefly round up the details you’ve discussed. You can bring things to a close by pushing for an interview and providing some available dates.
Example:
With my previous experience and expertise I am confident that I can hit the ground running and make a significant contribution to the organisation. I am eager to discuss with you my plans of how I intend to impact the business within the first three months of my tenure.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my suitability to the role. I am available for interview on the following dates.
For further examples of how to structure memorable concluding cover letter paragraphs 8 Brilliant Cover Letter Closing Paragraph Examples | LiveCareer
Signing off
Closing your letter
To close your letter, choose a professional closing salutation such as, “Sincerely,” “Faithfully” or “Best regards”
How to End a Cover Letter With Closing Examples (thebalancecareers.com) provides examples of ending your letter with a formal closing.
With employers often receiving hundreds of applications for each vacancy, you need to ensure that your cover letter helps you ‘stand out from the crowd’ and leaves a lasting impression.
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