Thursday 4 June 2015

The importance of a cover letter

There is a common discrepancy in whether a cover letter is essential or in fact necessary when applying for a job. Cover letters are however the perfect opportunity to tell your story as an addition to your resume. A cover letter although, should not duplicate information which appears in your CV and should simply highlight the reasons why you are interested in a certain position, describing your professional skills and achievements.

There is often doubt as to whether a cover letter should be submitted alongside your CV. However, if in doubt its better to submit it than not to. Your personal cover letter is a great way for someone you have never met before to become interested in you and what you can do. Even the shortest cover letter is an additional way of getting someones attention.

Knowing what to say or what to write in a cover letter can be tricky as it needs to be both precise and relevant...waffling is not an option! Keeping it both short and sweet, here are some of the ways in which you can create a great cover letter to along side your great CV.

Firstly, keep it simple. By structuring your cover letter as follows; brief introductory line, your work experience, your accomplishments and finally, meeting request. When writing about your work experience it is important to word it so that it is relevant to the job you are applying for. Any skills included should also be relevant and beneficial to the company and job role.

Always ensure that your cover letter fits on one page. By being concise and to the point, will also help to ensure that one page is enough. No employer has time to read through reams of information, so don't let them get bored... always keep them interested!

Before sending over your cover letter and even your CV, it is essential that you thoroughly read through the job description of the job you are applying for. Make notes on what you are expecting to gain from the job and what the employer is expecting from you. Always keep this in mind whilst writing your cover letter and tailoring your CV. However it is important that you do not write any false information as it can sometimes lead to unpleasant situations.

Your opening sentence should include the job role that your are applying for. In addition, you should dedicate a couple of sentences to your previous work experience keeping it relevant at all times. Keep it brief and do not go into too much detail as it can be both a waste of time and space. Try to give examples. By giving a few examples about your professional achievements can help persuade the employer that you are the right person for the job.

Finally...the grand finale. The conclusion to your cover letter should include a short notice detailing a meeting and to tell the employer that you are looking forward to hearing from them.

So what else is important? Ensuring that your spelling and grammar is accurate is crucial. Errors will only distract the employer and spoil their impression of you. Proof read carefully!

If you would like further advice on how to write a cover letter or CV contact Taylor Green recruitment on 0161 255 2760 today! Taylor Green also offers interview tips and a CV writing service. Visit us online to find out more - www.taylor-green.co.uk

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