|
When a job vacancy is advertised in print or online thousands of hopeful applicants send in their resumes for consideration. So if you want to be short listed and land the much coveted job you must ensure that your covering letter is the best. It should be well written, precise and informative.
Make the letter relevant to the vacancy and highlight why you are most suited.
Use relevant experience detailed in your cv in the covering note to indicate
what you will bring to the company and position advertised.
1. Experts in HR advice that the covering letter should be specifically directed to
the person mentioned in the advertisement.
2. Use a professional format and tone
in the letter. If you do not know the person’s name address the letter to “sir or madam.”
3. The covering letter should be brief, never more than one page long. It is the teaser
that must tempt the person to read further.
4. Plan to use several small paragraphs and keep sentences to the point.
5. Ensure that you include contact details and the date of writing the letter and
information such as job codes given in the advertisement.
6. Make the letter job specific. Write why your experience matters and how it will suit
the job advertised. The reader must be convinced that you are ideal for the job.
7. End the letter with “Yours Sincerely”.
Read the advertisement carefully and follow instructions in a stepwise manner. Always
check the letter and cv for typos, punctuation, and errors. Never hand write the covering
letter it should be typed with proper formatting and line spacing.
Be sure to present key points in logical order. Get another person to objectively read the
letter. Avoid using too many Is and write a letter aimed at the “5 second reader.” Your
professionalism should show through the letter as also your competence.
When in doubt use a “template” , a sample of one is given below.
Letter Template
Name & Title:
Your Address:
Position: Your Telephone number; email address.
Name and Address of Company:
Date:
Dear {Mrs, Miss, Ms, Dr, Mr} {Name},
Position applied for and reference number may form a subject heading.
Paragraph One: Should introduce yourself and say why you are writing? Use a
conventional opening stating the purpose of the letter, where and when you saw the
vacancy advertised etc.
Paragraph Two:Introduce yourself and your abilities. Who are you? What are you
doing now or have done recently?
Paragraph Three:Highlight your talents: why you can do the job, your key skills,
personal qualities, relevant experience, achievements. Use the Job Description and Person
Specification to 'Fit Yourself to the Job' - give evidence! Be positive & imaginative but
not arrogant. It is important to be convincing.
Paragraph Four: Say why you are applying. What attracts you to the job and company?
Indicate: Enthusiasm, Motivation, and Confidence. Explain what you think the company can
do for you and what you can do for the company.
Paragraph Five:Use a Conventional closing statement, confirm what you want.
Indicate availability for interview or meeting?
Yours sincerely,
{signature}
Print Name
Use good quality white paper and if its an e-application follow the formatting for
emailing letters.
About the Author: Aaron Brooks is a freelance writer for
Job Search , the premier
website to find free search for free online employment services, job vacancies, part time
job, job listing and many more.
|
|
|
