Career Development Centre

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    • Cover letters
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A cover letter represents the first opportunity to demonstrate your skills and enthusiasm for the job, and is often used by employers to screen applicants. Unless specifically asked not to, or if you are completing on online application form, you should include a cover letter with your resume. Each cover letter should be tailored for the specific position and organisation. Generic cover letters are easily spotted by experienced recruiters and is likely to reduce your chance of being shortlisted.

Content

• At the top of the page, list your address, the date, and the name, title, organisation and address of the recipient.
• Find out the name of the person responsible for handling recruitment and use it. If you cannot find out the person’s name, start the letter ‘Dear Sir/Madam’.
• Quote the reference number if there is one.
• Your first paragraph should state the position for which you are applying and how you heard about it.
• Your second paragraph describes why you are particularly interested in this job in this organisation. Show that you have done some research into the organisation.
• The third paragraph is the one in which you sell yourself. Let the employer know how you meet the requirements of the position by summarising your relevant knowledge, skills and qualities and supporting these claims with evidence.
• In the final paragraph, thank the employer for considering your application and state that you would be happy to expand on the information at interview. Let the employer know the best way to contact you. If you have written an unsolicited letter, state that you will call them on a certain date.

Presentation

• The covering letter should not be longer than one A4 page.
• Use a professional font (such as Times Roman or Arial) in size 12 font (no smaller than size 11) – these fonts are included in most computer software, so the way you have formatted your document should stay true.
• All paragraphs should be left-justified (full justification puts additional spaces between words and can make it more difficult to read). There is no need to indent paragraphs; just leave a line between them.
• Use professional language and ensure that there are no spelling, grammatical or typographical errors.