Cover letter tips
A covering letter is a way of presenting a personal touch to a CV and another opportunity to catch the recruiter's attention through tailoring the information to the opportunity.
In particular, the covering letter is an excellent vehicle to convey motivations and enthusiasm for the specific role - both of which can help a candidate to stand apart from the crowd.
As with the CV itself, clarity and brevity are important in a covering letter. A few clear paragraphs or even just a few sentences that convey enthusiasm and display the relevant skill-set are typically all that is required.
Finally, to ensure there are no mistakes and to incorporate an objective viewpoint, it's always advisable to ask for constructive criticism from a friend before the covering letter and/or CV are sent.
Five tips for a good personal letter
1. A covering letter must be well formulated and brief - no more than one page long
2. A good covering letter should not repeat content from the CV
3. The letter should be based upon the employer's perspective
4. Try to reflect the tone of the recruitment ad or job spec in response. If in doubt, formal is usually better than informal, during the application process
5. Convey the outcome of research about the opportunity, which displays both interest and initiative
Example of a personal letter with a selling message
