Writing a Cover Letter

COVERING LETTERS

A covering letter adds a voice to your resume. It makes it easy to indicate your interest for a particular position, convey the reason why you may be the best for the job and specify details that may not be captured on your resume. You simply get another opportunity to sell yourself.

REASONS FOR A COVERING LETTER

A covering letter should convey in clear terms:

• Who you are


• What position you are applying for


• What makes you the best for the job


• Why you intend to work for the organization


• Your obvious competitive advantage


• Your specific motivations and skills

DONTS OF A COVERING LETTER

• Avoid errors in spelling, typing and grammar. Always double check your letter and ask a friend to help proof read it.


• Beware of excess spaces between words, inappropriate margins and alignments.


• Avoid very long sentences. Use short and concise sentences.


• Address any gaps or apparent weaknesses in your CV such as poor academic results due to illness, for example.


• Do not use the same letter for every application. Be careful to fine tune every letter to the requirements of the job.

WINNING STRATEGIES

• Let it be clear in your letter that you are really interested in getting the job, but do so without sounding desperate. It would send the wrong signals.


• Remember to include a subject line indicating the exact position you seek


• Do your best to address the letter to a specific person. This person’s name should be stated in the salutation. Only use “Dear Sir” or “Dear Madam” when all efforts to find a specific name have failed.


• Pay close attention to the first few words of your letter. Let your opening statement and first paragraph give the reader enough reason to want to read on.


• Be careful not to showcase qualifications and experience that might intimidate your prospective employer. An employer may feel threatened with an employee good enough to be his boss!


• When short on requisite professional work experience to qualify for a job, leverage on voluntary experiences, vocational exposures or an internship that may help you qualify.


• Let your letter reveal that you have researched and know much about the company’s operations.


• Always include the reference number that has been posted with a position if one has been provided.


• If you are multilingual then state it in your letter. Proficiency in more than one language is always an added advantage.


• Be sure to include the date and name of a newspaper from which you got to know about the stated vacancy.


• If you have had a meeting with the intended reader of your resume, or if he suggested that you send it, say this in the first paragraph of your cover letter.


• Similarly, if it has been suggested by a third party that you submit your resume to the reader, say so within the first paragraph of your letter.


• Your letter should convey relevant information for which there is no room in your curriculum vitae.


• Repeat the recipient’s name toward the end of the cover letter to convey a level of friendliness.


• Finally, always refer your reader back to your resume before ending your letter.

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For Application / Cover Letter Samples, use any of the Links Below:

Sample Cover Letter 1  |  Sample Cover Letter 2  |

Sample Cover Letter 3  |  Sample Cover Letter 4  |

Sample Cover Letter 5  |  Sample Cover Letter 6  |

Sample Cover Letter 7  |  Sample Cover Letter 8  |