Tuesday 4 February 2014

Writing a cover letter


Welcome to our second blog post. This time we will be running through the best way to write your cover letter.
So, why do you need a cover letter? Well, the covering letter adds flesh to the bare bones of your C.V. It shows your prospective employer that you have the specific  qualities that the job calls for, and makes a statement about yourself and your suitability for the job. The inclusion of a cover letter gives the personal touch that your C.V. won't.


First things first... 
You need to focus your letter and you can do this in a number of ways:
  • Do your research! Make sure you read up on the job you are applying for and the company. This shows the employer that you have a keen interest in the job on offer.
  • Find out who you are sending the letter to.
  • Ensure that you have a clear understanding of what the company does.
  • Clearly state in your letter why you are interested in the job
  • Take keywords from the job advertisement


Second of all...
Tell them about your previous experience (this can include both paid and unpaid work). Tell the employer about the following:
  • Any previous work experience that relates to this role
  • Any skills you have that are useful to the this role
  • Any extra-curricular achievements that you have which are relevant (e.g. first aid training)




Our third and final point..
Don't be afraid to sell yourself! You need to give the employer a reason why they should hire you rather than anyone else. So tell them about the following:

  • What are your strengths?
  • What is special about you?
  • How in the past have you gone beyond expectation and requirements of any previous roles?


By following the website link below you will be able to access free cover letter samples for a number of job roles:
 
http://career-advice.monster.co.uk/cvs-applications/free-cover-letter-samples/jobs.aspx

GOOD LUCK!
Paige & Sophie

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