Let's be honest, no one looks forward to writing cover letters. It's laborious, and there's no guarantee that all your hard work will pay off.
You might be tempted to put in as little effort as possible or even use the same cover letter for all your applications. After all, do employers even read them? Bad news... The answer to that question is YES.
Whilst most of us wish it wasn't the case, cover letters are one of the most important parts of a job application. It's your chance to speak directly to potential employers and convince them that you're the perfect candidate.
We have some good news, though - writing great cover letters doesn't have to be hard!
Download our cover letter template and examples:
Follow this step-by-step guide, and you'll be smashing out interview-winning cover letters in no time at all.
1 - Make sure your cover letter is addressed to the right person
If you know who you're addressing your cover letter to, it needs to start with 'Dear "Mr", "Mrs", "Ms", "Dr", etc.’ Make sure you're using the correct title and that you've spelt the name correctly - you don't want to fall at the first hurdle.
If you don't know who you're addressing your cover letter to, start it with 'Dear Sir or Madam'.
2 - Explain why you're getting in touch
If you're applying for a specific job, open your cover letter by saying what role you're applying for and where you saw it advertised.
If you're making a general enquiry about job openings, you'll need to say what sort of job you're looking for.
3 - Demonstrate an understanding of the company
Want to stand out? Showing that you understand what a company does and the industry they work in will give you an edge over other candidates.
Use your cover letter to point out any previous experience or personal interests you have in their business or industry.
For example, if you're applying for a job with a charity, speaking about charity work you've done in the past will help show that you're likely to be a good fit for their company.
4 - Show why you're the perfect candidate for the job
This isn't just a case of blowing your own trumpet. You need to demonstrate how your skills and experience make you the best candidate for that specific role.
Start by using the job description to understand what the employer is looking for. This will help you pick highly relevant examples of great work you've done in the past, which you can use to demonstrate your skills.
5 - Sign off
Finish by thanking the employer for their consideration and pointing them to your CV.
If you addressed your letter to a specific person, sign off with 'Yours sincerely. Otherwise, sign off with 'Yours faithfully'.
Extra tips:
- Make sure your cover letter is clear and concise
- Ensure you include contact details on both your CV and cover letter
- Proofread your cover letter - you don't want any mistakes to slip through
- If you struggle with written communication, ask someone you know to check it over for you
Download our cover letter template and examples:
Looking for some help with your job search? Get in touch today and chat with our friendly, experienced team. If your CV and cover letter are raring to go - hop on over to our job board and start applying today!
