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Cover LettersNo job is offered solely as a result of a letter of application. The purpose of your letter is to gain an interview. You should include only sufficient detail of yourself to whet the reader’s appetite for more. If you give too complete a picture, the reader might think that they know enough about you to reject you without seeing you at all.
If possible, address your letter to a person. Telephone and ask the receptionist who the appropriate person is and address the letter to that person by name. Explain briefly why you are writing, e.g. "I am replying to your advertisement for office personnel". Or, if you are writing directly, without seeing an advertisement – "I shall be finishing my studies in July and I would like to work for your company, if there is a suitable vacancy. I am particularly interested in…"
Your letter of application must project a positive image of yourself through the things which you have done. Include only those personal details which are relevant to the job, or which show aspects of your personality in a positive light. Cover in separate paragraphs; why you are writing, a brief review of your education, other relevant interests or activities, and finally, why you want to work for this employer. Above all, show enthusiasm for joining the organization and for making a positive contribution to it.
| Don’t include details of: | Do include details of: |
| ...Physical appearance | …Group activities |
| …Marital status | …Initiative |
| …Politics | …Previous jobs |
| …Religion | …Academic success |
The right style
To give maximum impact, make your letter no longer than one page. Always write a draft letter first and then review it, next day. You can use a computer, but if you write the letter by hand – use a large plain sheet of white paper (not small notepaper); place a lined sheet with wide margins underneath so that your writing is neat and even; write with an ink pen, not a ballpoint pen or pencil; never cross words out but rewrite the letter instead. Check your letter for spelling, punctuation, and grammar. For examples of cover letter formats, please refer to the following web sites:
Sending it off
Fold the letter only a minimum number of times before putting it in an envelope and then send it by first class post. If you are sent a form, fill it in and return it with a covering letter. Don’t enclose a Résumé unless specifically asked to do so, and in any case, include a covering letter as well.