How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter
The Access HR Team | 1 Mar 2009 1:16 PM
Access HR receive many covering letters each day, and in discussions with our candidates we often hear many people say that they don’t know how to write an acceptable covering letter. This article has been developed to assist you with your applications, by combining this with the ‘How to write the perfect resume’ you will be on the right track to accepting your dream role.
If after reading both these articles you still are not confident to write your resume and covering letter that will make you stand out from the crowd, please contact Access HR as we have a ‘Resume and Covering Letter’ service.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is sent with your resume in application for an advertised or an unsought position within a company. They are a letter of introduction explaining who you are and why you are sending your resume through.
What should I write in my cover letter?
Your cover letter should state what position you are applying for, how you heard of the available position or the company, explanation of why you are the right person for the role, thank them for reading your application and a telephone number they can contact you on.
What should I avoid when writing a cover letter?
The following are some things to avoid when writing your cover letter:
- Never write negatives in your letter. Keep information such as why you left / are leaving your current position to discuss in the interview
- Do not rewrite your resume in your letter
- Avoid writing your salary history in your cover letter
- Avoid long paragraphs
- If you can, avoid addressing your letters with Dear Sir / Madame. Address the letter to the person who’s name is mentioned in the ad, if there is no name provided make a quick phone call to the company and find out.
- SPELLING & GRAMMAR MISTAKES! This also includes “texting language”, it is not appropriate to write a covering letter as you would a text message. For example: “I” instead of “i”, “people” instead of “ppl”, “thank you” instead of “thks/thanx”
How should I write my cover letter?
For the structure of the letter it should consist an introduction, a couple of paragraphs detailing why you are the right person for the position and a closing paragraph.
- Your cover letter should have the same font and layout of your resume.
- Be concise in what you write and try to keep the letter to one page.
- Make your cover letter personal to each employer you are applying to.