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How to write an Effective Cover Letter
The following advice from theAEROSPACEjob
will help you to write your cover letter before sending it with
your CV to them.
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Top Tips from theAEROSPACEjob
· Tailor each covering letter to different employers - never send
out standardised letters!!
· Keep it to 1 side of A4 paper - short and simple!!
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The covering letter that you send for a job application is the most
important document that you will send in the first instance for the
application of a job position. It is your chance to sell yourself
to the employer, to prompt the recruiter to read your CV and to gain
an interview.
The role of the application letter is to draw a clear connection between
the job you are seeking and your qualifications listed in the CV.
The letter matches the requirements of the job with your qualifications,
emphasizing how you are right for that job. The application letter
is not a lengthy summary of the CV but should be used to highlight
and elaborate on the key points in your CV, which are of particular
relevance to the employer.
There is no strict formula for an application letter as different
jobs may require different approaches. Employers can spot standardised
letters that are sent out on mass, so you must tailor every letter
to be uniquely relevant to each role you apply for. It is best to
make sure that the letter is on a formal footing but also friendly
and that you pay attention to your writing style, your spelling and
grammar.
Many cover letters tend to be long winded but it is best to try to
keep it to 1 side of A4 and to no more than 3 - 4 paragraphs that
consist of short, simple sentences.
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Structure
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Introduction
The first paragraph of the application letter is the most important;
it sets everything up - the tone and focus. Try to provide him/her
with a reason to carry on reading your application letter and make
the first paragraph an attention-grabbing one!! It is a good idea
to begin by addressing the letter to a particular person if you can
get hold of this information. This paragraph should be brief and to
the point, indicating which job you are applying for (including a
job reference number if there is one) as well as the source of your
information (newspaper advertisement, personal contact etc) and an
explanation as to why you have applied for this job.
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Main Body
In the main parts of the application letter, you present your work
experience, education, training - whatever makes that connection between
you and the job you are seeking. Remember that this is the most important
job you have to do in this letter - to enable the reader to see the
match between your qualifications and the requirements for the job.
It may be a good idea to split the body into two paragraphs with the
first focusing on the needs of the company and role requirements.
You need to explain why you have applied to them, indicating the main
job requirements. This will show you have done research into the company,
tailoring the letter to them to be unique. In the following paragraph
you need to match these to your skills and abilities, highlighting
why you are right for the job and elaborating your achievements. Try
to include information not already on your CV, be positive and confident
and write it with a bias to the future rather than the past.
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Closing Paragraph
In the last paragraph of the application letter, you can indicate
how the prospective employer can get in touch with you and when are
the best times for an interview. This is the place to urge that prospective
employer to contact you to arrange an interview. It is important to
end the letter strongly and on a positive note. End the letter with
something like 'I very much look forward to hearing from you' and
'Yours Sincerely' and finally, don't forget to sign and print your
name! Once you have written your letter, check it several times for
any mistakes you may have made and check all the information you have
provided them with is correct and accurate. Align the company address
to the left side and your address to the right and make sure the paragraphs
are justified, the font is the same throughout the letter and on your
CV and that it looks neat and tidy!!
If you are not replying to an advertised position, it is more appropriate
to write a speculative letter to a company that you would like to
work for. The cover letter will therefore be slightly different, it
should begin by stating what work you are particularly seeking, say
why you want to work for this company and ask for your CV to be kept
and to be contacted if any vacancies open.
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Example Cover Letter
Let us create an example of a job advertised for a Regional Sales
Manager for a Peanut Butter company based in the UK. Applications
are to be sent to John Watson the Human Resources Manager:
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(Place the name and title of person who you are applying to)
John Watson
Human Resources Manager
Peanuttly Foods Ltd
Peanut Building
The Park
Salisbury
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(Place in information about the position that you are applying
for)
Reference: Regional Sales Manager Position
Dear John,
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(Introductory paragraph)
I have seen the position advertised as a Regional Sales Manager for
Peanuttly Foods Ltd advertised in the local Landover paper. I believe
that I have the appropriate skills and experience that you are looking
for and I would be very interested in applying for the position.
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(Main body paragraphs)
I have worked for the past two years as a sales manager for Bikkit
Foods in Beversham. In that capacity, I have helped to increase regional
sales by 40% in our Funky chicken range. These sales increases have
been achieved by an extensive marketing campaign to the 8-16 year
age group and I feel that the Regional Sales Manager Position would
offer me the challenges and the opportunities that I am looking for
in my next career step. These main body paragraphs can be more detailed
this is a example of how to present information.
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(Closing paragraph)
You will find enclosed a copy of my CV, which provides a more detailed
description of my education and employment history. I would welcome
any opportunity to talk with you further about the position. Please
do not hesitate to contact me at any time at the numbers listed on
my CV if you would like to discuss any aspects of my application.
Yours Sincerely,
Peter Johnson
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GET YOUR COVER LETTER PROFESSIONALLY WRITTEN
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