Careers >> Browse Articles >> CV Centre
How to Write the Perfect Application Cover Letter
HMForces.co.uk
Cover Letter Etiquette
People looking for jobs can often spend countless hours developing their CV’s and then treat cover letters as an afterthought. This can be a critical mistake; the cover letter can help your CV get noticed.
Think of the cover letter as your CV’s top section. To make the best impression, follow these etiquette rules:
Say No to the Cover Letter Cop-Out
The first rule of cover letter etiquette is to send a cover letter — always. It doesn’t matter if the hiring manager didn’t ask for it or you’re too busy to write one. Its proper business etiquette to accompany a CV with a cover letter, and it gives you the opportunity to help sell yourself for the position.
Be Concise
Busy hiring managers don’t have time to wade through letters that could pass for dissertations. Get to the point as quickly as possible, and break any paragraphs seven lines or longer into short, easily digestible ones.
When emailing your cover letter, brevity is even more important. The nature of email calls for concise communication, in part because it’s harder to read on screen than on paper. However, don’t fall prey to the one-line cover letter that some job seekers try to pass off. It goes something like this: “Please see attached CV, and thank you for your time and consideration.” You should be able to write a convincing cover letter in a few brief paragraphs.
Keep It Professional but Friendly
While a CV is generally a formal document, cover letters give you a chance to reveal your personality. Not only do you want to show that you’re a good fit for the position, but you also want the reader to like you. Appropriate use of humour, combined with a friendly and professional tone, can help endear you to the hiring manager.
Get Personal
Whenever possible, address your letter to a specific person. If a job posting doesn’t include a person’s name, do some research to find out who the correct person is? Try calling the employer (but do respect ads that state “no phone calls”), and ask a receptionist for the hiring manager’s name. Keep the salutation professional by using “Dear Mr. Jones,” not “Dear Jim.”
Focus on the Employer’s Needs
If every other sentence of your letter begins with “I” or “my,” you need to change the focus. Research the employer and find out what types of problems managers there are facing, qualities they look for in employees and their future goals. Then use your letter to prove that you are the answer to their problems. The most compelling letters demonstrate what you can do for the employer, not what the employer can do for you.
Be Original
Your cover letter will stand out if you employ some creativity. For example, you could include a brief summary of your biggest achievement or most challenging project.
You could incorporate excerpts of performance reviews to highlight your record of success. Or, you could create two columns in your letter to demonstrate precisely how you meet the employer’s requirements:
Your ad specifies: Five years’ avionics or ICT experience.
And I deliver: Six years of superior-rated performance in a busy personnel department.
Proofread
Cover letters should be free of errors, so thoroughly proofread them before sending. If proofreading is not your strong suit, get help from someone with meticulous proofreading skills. If you’re customising a cover letter that you use for many positions, remove any placeholders; this will prevent embarrassing errors such as “I would be delighted to be your next.” And one last tip: whatever you do, please spell the hiring manager’s name correctly.
Following cover letter etiquette can be time intensive, but the reward is worth it: More calls for interviews and a greater chance of securing a new position.
Outline for Cover Letter
Use this cover letter example to make a good first impression with your cover letter:
Date
Name of Human Resources Manger
HR Job Title
Business/Company Name
Street
City Post Code
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. ______:
Body: Needs to express
a) the position you are applying towards,
b) what you will contribute professionally and personally,
c) enclosed materials.
Sincerely,
Your Full Name
Enclosure (If there is a CV, essay, application, etc. included)
Related articles: What Makes a Good CV Design and Layout?
Out of Uniform: CV Tips for Making the Transition
Follow these tips to draft a high-impact CV that shows how your military experience is transferable to a civilian job.
Using Your Personal Development Record
Former military personnel have one advantage over their civilian counterparts: documented evaluations. Use them.
Translate Your Skills
It is crucial that you do not use military or naval acronyms, slang, jargon or terms in your CV.
Join the discussion! Discuss CVs and other career-related issues.
.
