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How to: Write a Striking Cover Letter.

6th November 2017

Great, you’re applying for jobs! Almost every application will require you to write a cover letter, struggling? Here are a few tips to help you write a cover letter which really stands out. The reason companies will ask you to write a cover letter is for two reasons; to see your written style and to see if you can link what they want from you into your experience, it's also a great tool for employers to judge your communication skills.

Keep it Job Specific

Think about how much the employer wants to read and try to keep your cover letter concise. Consider making a plan of what you are going to write and keep it all relevant to the job you are applying for. Think about the layout and aim to keep it to a page or less. Make sure it's appropriate to what you are applying for. Anything that doesn’t apply to the role directly can still stay on your CV, your cover letter will be expected to be quite short and specific. By looking at the job description you can find out exactly what skills the employer wants you to have and you can use this to go into more detail about which of those skills you have and relate it back to the job you are interested in.

Keep it Custom

The cover letter is usually read by to the hiring manager, if you know their name that’s perfect - consider addressing it to them. You should also consider mentioning the company that you are applying to. In your CV you can be broad, but a cover letter is designed for the employer to read before considering your CV. It would be a good idea to make it stand out and you can do this by adding lots of relevant information to the role specifically. If you are applying to a lot of jobs make sure your cover letter is for the right job, look at the job description, look at key words and responsibilities and align your cover letter to what they are looking for with key examples and evidence. Tell them why you are suitable to the role and how your experience is perfect for it.

Keep it Relevant

Read the job description and consider whether they are expecting you to have certain skills. If you want to go into detail about something on your CV, this is the place to do it. Just remember to keep it related to the job role you are applying for. Keep the details of your experience to you CV and perhaps pick some of your best achievements or most relevant information in your cover letter. Chances are if you are applying to an administration role within a construction company this space would be better filled up with relevant experience rather than your 3 week mountain bike holiday.