Introduce your CV with a Cover Letter
 
Your cover letter is the perfect place to highlight exactly how your skills and experience match the job criteria. Make it super-obvious to the reader that you fulfill their needs.
 
Since each job will have different criteria, it makes sense to write a customised letter for each application. Review the information you have about the company and about the target job. Then, match your skills and experience to the company’s organisational culture and job criteria.
 
Your cover letter is a good place to address the most important points and tantalise your reader to read the next document - your Curriculum Vitae (CV).
 

Your Cover Letter
 

Your Letterhead
 
This is where you let the reader know how to contact you. Be sure to give your full postal address, an email address that you check regularly, and a telephone number that you answer.
 
Your postal address should be presented as it appears in the Royal Mail's database and be sure to include the postal code.
 
These days it is most likely that correspondence will be via email, at least initially. Check your email and your Junk Mail folder regularly.
 
If someone else answers your phone (e.g., your land line phone at home), either train them to answer the phone properly and to take a message accurately or don't use that phone number! If you are using an answer phone or voice mail, be sure that the message is professional-sounding.
 

The Date
 
Use the date of posting/submission. Always ‘spell out’ dates that include the day. For example, write out September 5, 2008, rather than 05/09/08, since this translates into “May the 9th, 2008” in the US and Canada.
 

Address and Contact Name
 
Use the ones given in the advertisement, or if sending a speculative letter, find out who makes the hiring decisions (or at least their proper job title). If applying by email/online form, use the plain text versions we supply with the final version of your documents.
 

The Reference Line
 

Putting the underlined reference line [Re:…..] just below the address and above the “Dear…” highlights this important information. Use the exact position name that is referred to in the advertisement or, if you are sending out a speculative letter, find out what job title is used at that particular company. If there is a reference number, be sure to include this, too.
 

Dear ...

 
This sounds old-fashioned, but it is still used in cover letters because cover letters are formal and you want to convey respect to the recipient. It is best to find out the name of the recipient, but if you cannot, use "Hiring Manager" because "Sir/Madam" is old-fashioned.
 

First Paragraph
 
Introduce yourself and tell the reader why you are applying for this job. Consider inserting the name of newspaper or web site where you found the advertisement. This information is of interest to the HR department. E.g., “I am writing in response to your advertisement in the … newspaper / … on your website." E.g., “I was pleased to read in your recent advertisement that appeared in the … newspaper / … on your website…. ”
 

Second Paragraph
 
Refer to your CV or resume. E.g., "As outlined in the attached CV ...” and indicate your overall qualification for the job. This could be your area of particular interest: Show that your specific interests and / or experience matches the company’s needs. Alternatively, use general interest that applies, such as “customer-service experience”. Set yourself apart from other job seekers by finding out what their needs are – do research (Internet, telephone enquiries, library, etc.).
 

Third Paragraph or Bullet Points

 
Edit four bullet points according to the information you have about the job or company, edit or rearrange the bullet points to suit the targeted job. Use the same jargon or terminology that is used in the advertisement or in company literature, where possible.
 

Conclusion
 
Thank the reader for taking the time to read your cover letter and CV. If appropriate, let them know when you will call to set up an appointment to discuss the position. Most likely, the best route is to tell them that you look forward to hearing from them in due course. Try to include their company name because this is eye-catching to the reader and further enforces the idea that this is not a form letter. Even though you will send very similar letters to different people/companies, it is important that your letter does not sound like a form letter.
 

Style and spelling differences between the US and UK/Europe/rest of world.

 
There are two major differences – one is in spelling (for example – center in US, is centre in UK and Canada; realize in US and Canada is realise in the UK). (Canada/Australia/New Zealand/South Africa use a mixture! If you are targeting a company in one of those countries, it is a nice touch to use their way of spelling, but not essential.)

The CV is called a résumé in some countries. In those countries, a CV is a document used by academics and medical professionals.

The other difference is in paper size – North Americans use 8½ X 11 inch paper (called "Letter" in MS Word) rather than A4.

As mentioned above, when dates are presented as numbers, Americans and Canadians use MM/DD/YY whereas the UK and many other places use DD/MM/YY.
 

What is the difference between a Targeted and a Speculative Letter?
The targeted letter is written in response to an advertisement; the speculative letter is written to enquire about opportunities at a firm that has not advertised. The first and last paragraphs are edited to reflect whether you are responding to an advertisement or if you are sending your letter speculatively.
 

Should I mention salary expectations in my cover letter?
 
Unless you are specifically asked about your previous salaries, it is usually best to leave this information for the interview since salary expectations are sometimes used in the initial CV screening process.
 

Should I use my work email address?
 

Besides the lack of privacy, your email address will change when you change jobs – that means that if a company holds your CV or résumé, they won’t be able to contact you by email. A lot of people get a web-based address solely for their job hunting. Googlemail is good because it doesn't "expire.
 
However, you should use an address that you intend to check regularly for the next year or so. Give one email address because it is a ‘stumbling block’ for the CV reader if they have to choose an address to respond to or have to respond to all three.
 

My email address doesn't sound professional - does it matter?
 
All aspects of your job seeking efforts should be 100% professional. Use "snugglebunny@email.com" to communicate with your friends, but not with your potential boss.
 

Next Step:

Beyond the Job Boards or Thank You Letter Templates
 

Index Job Boards Job Search Career Planning Internships News