How to write a winning cover letter for job applications and land your dream job!

The job market has never been so competitive in the last few months. Coronavirus has left many people unemployed and looking for work, so it's essential to be on top of your game and make sure your presentation is first class!

Covering letters are usually the first thing potential employers read when finding out about you, so what better place for us to start?

You can break a covering letter down into 3 or 4 parts, and in each part, you will need to include the best content in excellent English with an appropriate tone of voice.

The Introduction

As that old adage goes, 'first impressions are lasting,' so always look to make an excellent first impression in your letter and get off to a good start. Starting and finishing letters means choosing the appropriate level of formality and the correct way to address someone in business. Beginning with 'Dear Mr. Smith' means ending with an appropriate finish 'Yours sincerely' or 'Kind regards'.

Secondly, introduce yourself, state why you are writing the letter-say what job you are applying for and where you saw the advertisement! For example:

'I am writing in response to your advertisement for the position of Textile Manager.'

Or

'I am writing to apply for the position of' ...

Finally, don't forget to say why you are interested in the position and if you can, show your enthusiasm for the post and indicate why you are suitable for the job. For example,

'Currently, I am the manager of a fashion company, a position where I have gained a lot of experience in the textile industry, and managing a team of 30 people'.

The sales pitch

This is where you sell yourself. Use this space to tell prospective employers about your education, experience, and professional achievements. Don't describe everything on your CV. Just summarize the essential information connected to the position and try to write no more than six sentences. Try and be concise, and most importantly, make sure your summary of yourself matches the job description. Focus on three requirements/skills from the job description and show how you meet those requirements

Here is an example of someone applying for the position of manager in a textile company.

'After reading your requirements, I believe I would be an excellent fit for the manager position. I have over five years of management experience in my present job and a degree in Textiles from the University of Essex'.

Successfully connecting your skills, education and experience to the requirements of the job you want is the best way to make your application stand out.

The conclusion/summary

Here's your final chance to restate again why you are a good fit for the company and why you would excel in the job. It's also an excellent chance to thank the person for their time and consideration of your application. You can also mention that you will follow up in a couple of weeks if you haven't heard from the other side.

Here is an example of how you could finish the letter:

'I have attached a copy of my CV. Thank you very much for your time and for considering my application. As indicated above and on my CV, I feel I would be a suitable candidate for this position, and I have the necessary skills, experience, and qualifications to succeed. I am sure I could be an asset to your organization. I would love the opportunity to discuss the position further. I have included my contact details and can be reached by either phone or email'.

Some other key points to consider

Here are a few other points you might want to keep in mind. Use a suitable font such as Times new roman, Arial, Calibri, or Verdana, and make sure you get the tone of voice correct in your letter. It's essential to have the right level of formality (not too friendly but not too distant) and be positive and enthusiastic about the company and job.

Lastly, don't forget to spellcheck your letter and make sure the style, grammar, and punctuation are all good.

Remember, presentation is vital, and you may not get a second chance to impress.

For more information about business writing courses, get in touch with us today, and find out how we can help you get ahead in your career.