Help - covering letter?

elsien

In brief, I've just been made redundant after rather more years than I care to mention and I need to send a covering letter with a CV for a job application.
I'm used to applying for jobs via application form, and although I've updated my CV, I have no idea what/how much to put in the covering letter.
Any hints, tips, links to useful sources of information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Bean83

Your CV tells the employer if, on paper, you are qualified to do the job. The covering letter is used as the bridge between your CV and the job, basically matching each skill you have to each of the requirements listed in the job spec. The covering letter should tell the employer exactly why the skills/qualifications you have gained so far make you perfect for the job.


So if you were applying for a job in a call centre, but you've only ever worked in retail, you might put:
I have worked in retail for X years, during which time I gained a wealth of customer service experience, which would make me the ideal candidate for this customer-facing role.


The ideal letter should be no more than one side of A4, and should highlight the relevant parts of your CV that will be of interest to the employer. You can also mention why you want to work for that particular company to show you've done you research, and make it clear why you want to work in that particular industry (especially if it is different to what you have done before).

elektra

http://career-advice.monster.co.uk/CVs-Applications/Cover-Letter-Advice/jobs.aspx

InsideInsurance

Covering letter should be fairly short, I personally would have said much shorter than 1 page of A4. Its your opportunity to write a short sales pitch on yourself and why you'd be great for the role/ what you can bring to the job.

Who's asking for it? Is it an agent or are you applying direct to the employer?

BJV

I have to read lots of CV's from time time time and the covering letter is important.


Short sweet and to the point. the whole idea is to make the reader want to take a closer look at your CV.


try https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/getajob/cvs/Pages/default.aspx

TBagpuss

I agree with everything that Bean83 says.

The letter is your chance to sell yourself, and should be specifically tailored to the job.

If you know who is dealing with applications, address the letter to that person by name. If you don't know, check on the firms website to see whether you can work it out.

give some information as to why you are well suited to the particular job, and to the specific firm you are applying to - a lot of covering letters are very generic and can give the impression that you have just cut and pasted, so it is your opportunity to show that you want to work for this particular organisation, not just any firm in their field.

Unless the ad specifically requests a hand written cover letter then a typed letter is usually better as it looks more professional. (it should, of course, be signed by hand) For the same reason, use A4 paper. The letter should definitely be no more than one page, and in most cases a couple of paragraphs is all you need.

(Do a little research first. I had a letter come in a little while ago saying "I am particularly interested in X. We don't deal with X. We have not dealt with X for over 10 years. One glance at our website, which has on the front page a list of things we do, would have shown the applicant that we don't do X. that kind of thing is surprisingly common, and although it might not stop you getting an interview if you are a really strong candidate, it's not a good start)

saintjammyswine

Not directly related but having been made redundant, you should qualify for funding for training if you need it, especially if you have been in the same role/industry for many years. Contact your local FE College and ask if they have ESF Skills Support for Redundancy funding many do although not all.

elsien

I think I'm already on that, they helped with my CV but we hadn't got as far as the covering letter and this needs to be in for Monday. It's direct to the employer and they want it by email.

top_drawer_2

Hello

I would go with something along the lines of:

Dear Employer (name)

Introduce:

Please accept my application for the position of XXX as advertised in xxxx. Please find attached my CV for your consideration.

Then: Reiterate your interest

I have a keen interest in xxx and my skills in X, Y and Z will assist me to be an efficient / accurate / customer focused (use words from the job ad / spec).

Make this around 3-4 sentences

Close:

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to be hearing from you soon.

This was for an admin post but you get the idea!
If you want any key skills terms please post the job title you're going for and I can try to come up with some good ones.

TD

InsideInsurance

top_drawer wrote: »

Dear Employer (name)

Introduce:

Please accept my application for the position of XXX as advertised in xxxx. Please find attached my CV for your consideration.

Personally I would switch the order around a little. The email subject should make it clear which job you are applying for and so the above element can go to the very end of the letter.

First impressions count and the first sentence or two will immediately colour their opinion of you. You dont want to go too zany but it needs to be a little more attention grabbing than the above, you'll just be one of another 50 or so people that use the same grey introduction.

elsien

Thanks all for the advice - CV submitted yesterday, phone call to go in for a chat today. So it's either not as bad as I thought it was, or they've had very few applicants!