You may need to write a personalised cover letter whenever you send a CV or application form to a potential employer. The letter should capture the employer's attention, show why you are writing, indicate why your employment will benefit the company, and ask for an interview. The kind of specific information that must be included in a letter means that each must be written individually.
Here are some tips for writing an effective cover letter.
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Be brief and to the point. This is not your autobiography. Keep it well under a page. Identify the key requirements of the vacant role and outline the skills and experience that you have that enables you to meet these requirements…this is know as ’mirror imaging’. Thereafter, simply state that you are applying for the position and that the application and supporting materials are enclosed. The C.V. should supply all of the necessary additional information.
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Avoid generic, ‘empty’ language ("I will bring a depth of experience," or, "I believe my qualifications and experience suit the demands of the position"). Be specific and definitive about what you can bring to the position.
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Proofread it. Be sure you have spelled everything correctly. Check for punctuation errors and have a friend check over it as well if possible. A ‘typo’, a poor printing job or a misspelling will make a poor impression because they imply that you don't care or that you are not strong on ‘attention to detail’.
- Avoid fancy fonts, finishes and colours. Use a business font such as Arial. Black on white reproduces easily. Use plain white paper. Make it as visually appealing and coordinated with your CV without over emphasising the style elements.
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