Do You Need a Covering Letter?
A well-written covering letter can be one of the most important assets in your search for a new career. Its purpose is to highlight your qualifications and to demonstrate interest in a position or company so an interview will be granted. Eliciting responses that result in interviews usually requires each letter be individually tailored to the specific position/employer.
As a covering letter forms your introduction to employers, it is important for your letter to reflect your personality and style. Through your covering letter you need to communicate confidence in your abilities and a willingness to contribute to a company.
The style of the letter should be conversational but also positive and professional.
Remember you want your covering letter to distinguish you from other applicants.
Guidelines
Be brief and concise -- covering letters should not be more than a single page if possible.
Communicate your message to employers, using simple and direct language.
Emphasise what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you.
Leave out irrelevant information. Don’t use a ‘flowery’ style.
Use a good quality paper.
Style Tips
Heading
The heading should include:
The name, position and address of the person you are writing to
The date
Any reference number(s) for the position
Body
Write the letter with confidence and sincerity. It is the first example of your writing. The introductory paragraph should contain why you are writing, how you heard of the opening or company and the job title of the position you are applying for. The middle paragraph(s) should explain why you are interested in working for this employer and why you want this particular job. Show relevant education and experience, but take care not to make it look like a copy of your c.v. Try and convince them that they want and need you, by proposing a mutually beneficial association. Differentiate yourself from other applicants and help the employer feel the value those differences will make to his company/department. Previously you should have researched the company and you should try to demonstrate this knowledge in your letter. Try and convey some clearly focused career goals that are relevant to the position/company.
Conclusion
The concluding paragraph should contain these essential items:
Mention you are enclosing your résumé and any supporting materials you may be using to illustrate your training.
Close with "Yours Sincerely,".
Below your name type "enclosure(s)" to indicate that your c.v. and/or other documents are enclosed.
One technique used to initiate further action is to designate a day and time when you will call.
Some important Do’s & Do Not's
Do:
Use appropriate stationery and a clean, neatly addressed envelope
Check and recheck for correctly spelled names, grammatical errors, misspellings or typos.
Write to someone specific
Sign with a blue or black pen
Remember to Include your enclosure(s)
Do Not:
Use standardised letters
Make obvious corrections
Include anecdotes and gimmicks
Use any kind of lies, misinformation, erroneous data
Divulge personal information (age, weight, marital status, race, religion, etc.) and photos.
Use the letter to make demands
