Cover letters

 Getting Started...

Even though so much of the recruitment

process is done on-line, the cover letter is

still as important as ever

 Why do you need one?

• Gives you the ability to make your first impression

• Provides a reason for a recruiter or employer to read your CV

• Can help your personal sales pitch

 How to start?

• Use a name

− More impact than Dear Sir/Madam− Shows you have done some basic research

• State which job you are applying for, and where you have seen it

− Often recruiters are advertising more than one job

 Then What?

Why are you interested in the company?

Show that you have selected them, rather than sending out a standard cover letter to everyone

  What else?

•Why are you applying for the role?

•What makes you suitable?

–Skills–Achievements –Responsibilities

•Be specific – don’t include general statements

–Everyone would describe themselves as a “strong” candidate

 Don’t forget

• Show that you are able to demonstrate the skills required

• Don’t include anything that isn’t on your CV

• But remember….

• …. this is only a summary

DO NOT REWRITE YOUR CV

  Some basics

• Spell-check your letter

• You should not need more than one page

• Dear Sir/Madam = Yours faithfully

• Dear Mrs Jones (name) = Yours sincerely

• If you are sending out standard letters that you have tweaked, make sure that the details are correct

  Great covering letters are:

 

Punchy

Concise

Compelling

 

  For more information…

   Meet the team at

  www.brightonandhovejobs.com