Writing a good cover letter.
Discussion
Looking for some advice and tips to write a good cover letter.
I’ve never had to write one before as my previous jobs have all been on social care and my qualifications and cv have been enough.
This potential job is a totally new segment to me.
I’ve self funded an electrician course to get qualified and after an open day with said potential employer.
I’ve been asked to submit a cv and cover letter.
They are taking on loads of trades people which is good but I want to give myself the best chance as it’s double my current salary and gives great benefits and perks.
Any hints, tips and suggestions for what to put in and what to avoid would be greatly appreciated.
I’ve never had to write one before as my previous jobs have all been on social care and my qualifications and cv have been enough.
This potential job is a totally new segment to me.
I’ve self funded an electrician course to get qualified and after an open day with said potential employer.
I’ve been asked to submit a cv and cover letter.
They are taking on loads of trades people which is good but I want to give myself the best chance as it’s double my current salary and gives great benefits and perks.
Any hints, tips and suggestions for what to put in and what to avoid would be greatly appreciated.
I can only offer some sage wisdom
And that was from someone who was going to offer me a job years ago but unfortunately a contract was dropped and the job was reneged
She told me that one the main reasons I was even interviewed was because I sent a covering letter. The role was quite varied and specific so in the letter I tried to briefly show experience and some knowledge of that.
She also told I was the ONLY person out of the 30 or so applicants who did offer a covering letter.
So I would very carefully check the job spec, the company and if possible look for news of what they are doing, then try and dovetail that into a letter. no more than a few hundreds words.
And that was from someone who was going to offer me a job years ago but unfortunately a contract was dropped and the job was reneged
She told me that one the main reasons I was even interviewed was because I sent a covering letter. The role was quite varied and specific so in the letter I tried to briefly show experience and some knowledge of that.
She also told I was the ONLY person out of the 30 or so applicants who did offer a covering letter.
So I would very carefully check the job spec, the company and if possible look for news of what they are doing, then try and dovetail that into a letter. no more than a few hundreds words.
Dear Ms X
I would like to apply for the post of Y.
I believe I am suitably qualified and experienced for this role. In particular I:
Yours sincerely
I would like to apply for the post of Y.
I believe I am suitably qualified and experienced for this role. In particular I:
- Best relevant fact about yourself
- Third best relevant fact about yourself
- Second best relevant fact about yourself
Yours sincerely
Assume you are replying to a job ad? If so it will likely highlight key things they are looking for in the person so go through with a highlighter and pick those out and make sure you address each requirement ideally with an example of how you have dealt with that.
Cover letters are marketing so you need to engage the reader to give them every reason to want to meet you. CV is the facts, the letter is the main course.
Cover letters are marketing so you need to engage the reader to give them every reason to want to meet you. CV is the facts, the letter is the main course.
Some great advice already here.
To add; keep to a single side, write in first person, and from my experience, it’s an expansion of the 3 key components of your CV in terms of confirming your ability to do the job advertised and with sufficient evidence of impact to make you a compelling candidate for shortlisting.
Good luck!
To add; keep to a single side, write in first person, and from my experience, it’s an expansion of the 3 key components of your CV in terms of confirming your ability to do the job advertised and with sufficient evidence of impact to make you a compelling candidate for shortlisting.
Good luck!
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