Covering Letter - Video Transcript

When applying for a job, your CV may not have enough information on its own (image of covering letter). Your covering letter will enhance your sales pitch to the employer, so it’s important that you show why you’re interested in the job, and why you’re a good candidate.

A good covering letter complements any CV that you send to an employer. The role of the covering letter is to give a bit more of an indication about your personality.

Research

The most important thing your covering letter should do is sell you to the employer. This means it needs to be targeted to the job, so do your research and plan the letter closely around the job requirements.

Format

The format of the letter should be professional and look businesslike, as this will probably be the first thing the interviewer will look at. This means it needs to be impacting and also look formal.

The way you present yourself on a covering letter is as important as the content. It has to be presented well; this gives the employer the impression that you are taking the job application seriously, you’ve spent some time on your application and you really want that job.

Start writing your letter by putting your address at the top right, with the employer’s company address directly below on the left hand side, followed by the date. Try to find out the name of the recipient and use their title if possible, but if in doubt use Mr or Miss (indicated). If appropriate, mention the job title, reference and where the job was advertised.

First paragraph

Education and Reason for application
The first paragraph should tell the reader your education background or status, for example ‘graduate’ or ‘second year’, and explain why you are writing or applying.

Next paragraphs

Job Research and Suitability
The next paragraphs should use all your research about the company and the job position. Use this to explain why you want the job and why you would be a good candidate.

Experience
In this paragraph, also include experience you have. This should tie in with your CV to make it relevant, but keep the examples short and concise. For example, ‘I have developed my communication skills working in customer services at Marks and Spencer, which will be helpful when I am liaising with customers in this job.’

Closing

Finish the letter by saying you hope to hear from them, and close the letter with ‘Yours sincerely’ if it is address to a named person, or ‘Yours faithfully’ if it is addressed to ‘Sir/Madam’. Then type your name with enough space for your signature.

Spelling

The last and most important thing to do to check your spelling and grammar (Image of letter with red pen circling mistakes and amendments), because bad English can be a downfall before even meeting the interviewer.

Quality

If attaching the covering letter to your CV, make sure they are both printed onto high-quality paper. Once you have finished, do not hesitate to bring your letter to a careers counsellor for a final check.

Credits

Music:
Kevin MacLeod

Created by:
Jay Hewitt
Heather Cartwright
Stuart Rushton
Fred Stidston
Constance Mabe