Write a successful covering letter!

Cover letters. There is much discussion among professionals about the value of cover letters. To HR, they are HUGE. The covering letter puts flesh on the bare bones of the CV. They are Employer’s introduction to you - they are everything that you want HR to know about you. They tell employer how well you write, how seriously you take your job search, how much research you have done on your potential employer. If written well, cover letters demonstrate your mission, vision, direction, confidence and focus. When not written well, it can be your downfall.

 

  Let's take a look at the big mistakes.
 
  1. Addressees. Don't write a cover letter using Notepad, addressed To Whom It May Concern. You have just demonstrated how little homework you have done preparing for this position. If you don't know the name of the person doing the hiring, at least write Dear Hiring Manager, Human Resources Manager/Director, etc - something. Something other than To Whom It May Concern

2. Objective. In your cover letter, you should specifically address the company/employer's name, the title of the position and how/where you heard about the position. This letter should be custom written. When HR read your cover letter, He/she should know that YOU want THIS JOB. Not a job, THIS job. Now maybe you just want a job, but HR needs to think that you want the job for which he/she is advertising.

3. Tone. Your cover letter should show enthusiasm, interest, excitement and professionalism. HR should put that letter down wanting to meet you. The letter should permeate WOW.

4.  Content. Make sure that the content relates to the position and your interest in it. Do NOT add things like you will contact employer next Tuesday at 3pm. Employer/HR schedule is too packed to expect calls from job seekers. HR people have memories like elephants. They remember things and if they remember someone/something it usually isn't because of a 'good thing.'

Read it word by word for spelling errors, grammar and flow. Read it for proper punctuation and paragraphs, run-on sentences and spelling. Don't rely on spell check.

Find a quiet place to write your letter.....

Suggested structure for your covering letter:

First Paragraph

           State the job you’re applying for.

           Where you found out about it (advert in the newspaper etc).

            When you're available to start work.

Second Paragraph
Why you're interested in that type of work.
Why the company attracts you (if it's a small company say you prefer to work for a small friendly organization!).

Third Paragraph
Summarize your strengths and how they might be an advantage to the organization.
Relate your skills to the competencies required in the job.


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