10 Tips On How To Write The Perfect Cover Letter

By: Carl Yorke

Unemployment is on the increase and it's going to harder to get that first interview. Competition for vacancies is fierce. But it's not the time to simply give up; you need to re-double your effort and were do most people fail, the cover letter. So many people spend hours on their resume, but leave the cover letter to chance.

No matter how good your resume is, your cover letter or application letter is always going to be the first piece of information that a recruiter sees about you. Anything you write in your cover letter will help the recruiter to form their first impression of you.

1. Do not write the same cover letter. Target it for each role that you apply for.

2. If the advertisement gives you a reference number, use it in your letter so that it is clear which role you are applying for.

3. Keep the letter short and simple and to the point.

4. Keep the sales acronym 'AIDA' in mind when composing your letter. Gain the readers Attention by introducing yourself effectively. Keep their Interest by showing that you have the skills / experience to meet the role. Ensure that the content is relevant to the role and the recruiter will Desire to meet with you. Make sure that your contact details are clear in order for the recruiter to Action a response to you.

5. Provide exactly what is requested in the advertisement. If you are asked to supply both your CV and any evidence of a successful project you managed, then do so

.6. Do not over use technical jargon that may not be understood by people who administer the initial stages of the process.

7. Always proof read your letter and watch out for errors that a spell checker may not recognise.

8. If your application is speculative, find out the name of the person you need to forward your CV to and address your letter accordingly.

9. If replying to an advertisement, use it as the format that your letter will follow.

10. Remember that your cover letter is primarily a sales letter so concentrate on what you can do for the company.

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