A cover letter is the first glimpse your prospective employer gets of you. Ideally, you should write a new cover letter for each new job you are applying for. However, there are some basic guidelines you should follow when writing cover letters.
Include the date and your contact details at the top of your cover letter. You should also do this in cover emails.
Find out the full name of the person you are applying to, such as ‘Dear Mrs Smith’. Avoid generic greetings like ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ or ‘To Whom It May Concern’.
Always quote the exact name and details of the position you are applying for in your first paragraph.
Introduce yourself by explaining your suitability to the position, proving this with past achievements and work experience, as well as your major qualifications.
Directly address the selection criteria quoted in the application. If they ask for someone with “good problem-solving skills”, then relate a specific situation that proves you have that skill. This could be job-related, or a personal experience.
Do not include irrelevant details, unless you can clearly relate them to the position. For example, if you are applying for an executive marketing position, don’t relate your time as a bartender.
Tactfully and politely request a follow-up with an interview or a meeting. Include a phrase such as ‘I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my application further’.
Thank the reader for their time. Being polite will make a good impression.
Print and sign your full name and make sure you include contact details.
It is very important that you tailor your cover letter to each job. Talk about what you could bring to their company and why you would like to work for them specifically. This will show you have gone through the trouble of doing some research for the position and the company.
Spend some time editing and checking your spelling and grammar.
Overall, your cover letter should show you in a positive light, prove your suitability for the position and underline your experience, skills and past achievements.
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