Covering Letter
Your covering letter may well be the recruiter’s first encounter with you, so here are a few dos and don’ts to help you make a good first impression. Writing a Covering Letter
Dos
Don'ts
Tailor your letter specifically to the individual organisation and role.
Address the recruiter personally. Go the extra mile and find out the name of the individual who will be viewing your application. This shows initiative and that you are serious the particular job you're applying for.
Set a professional tone. Use title and surname in the greeting line to avoid sounding over-familiar at this stage in the process.
Do your homework. Show you know something about the organisation and role, but don't say too much and display how little you know.
Include any job reference numbers and state which job you are applying for. The recruiter may be viewing applications for a number of positions.
Have the job description to hand and succinctly say how you fulfil the requirements and what you’ll bring to the team.
Feel free to conclude your letter with a request for an interview – but don’t beg.
Don’t try to say everything. You’re enticing the reader to peruse your CV for finer detail. The recruiter may have many applications to look through and might only take a matter of seconds over their initial scan. Keep it short and to the point!
Don't bore your reader. Make an impact: keep it interesting and concise.
Avoid talking about yourself in a way that suggests self-importance. The focus is on how you meet the employer’s needs.
If addressing the letter personally do not try to guess the recipients gender.
Don’t forget to check your letter for spelling mistakes and typographical errors – they communicate carelessness – and get as many people as possible to proofread for you.
