How to do a Cover Letter

Presenting Your CV

How to Make Your Cover Letter stand out

The main point why you are writing a cover letter is to give the biggest answer every employer seeks in every applicant, why you are worthy of the job. In Ireland it's not 100% necessary to include one, but it is generally seen as a positive.

Cover letters need a touch of personality.

The only way for that to happen is if you write it yourself. Do not depend on templates available in books, the internet or the one available in your computer. Letters that are basically the same are normally neglected, especially if the company is in the search for creative employees.

Before you even try to write the letter make sure you have done your researche. Get full names, company names, head officers, goals, vision-mission and all the other important elements necessary to point out that you belong in their company.

Your cover letter must have three major paragraphs.

  1. Starting paragraph
    Let them know why you are writing to them. Remember to indicate the position applied for, stating newspaper or online advert.
  2. Middle paragraph
    Let them know why you are great for the job. List a few achievements, experiences and skills in this part so they will see how valuable you are. This is a good way to explain to them why you are the worthy one. Share examples but don’t put in the whole dramatic story.
  3. Ending paragraph
    Let them know you attached a CV on the next page. You can request for an interview here as well.Remember to end the letter with gratitude.

Recheck your letter

Have a look again at your letter and make sure you have been succinct in all the parts. That you don’t bore them to death with a letter that has superfluous information for them to read. Focus on clarity, and use normal everyday English.

Double check your letter for grammatical errors, punctuation marks and typo errors. Make sure that the letter will look professional. Avoid saying I too many times. They just may think you are too self-centred this is something you don’t want to happen. Remember to sign in your name and signature before you submit the letter for a more personal note.

For your benefit and the reader of the letter it is best to keep the cover letter one page. Most of the time long letters bore employers and so they neglect the novel you painstakingly wrote for them.

Aside from the form and the grammar what is important is how well you fit the job description. Before you even try to insist and waste the time of both parties make sure that you fit the description to a T! This may mean tailoring your CV to fit the job advert.

A great cover letter will garner greater results. Write well and write with a warm enthusiastic heart. The employer will see your willingness and effort.

Once everything in your cover letter is finalized, check one last time for errors or words that were not typed but were suppose to be there. Look at every single nook and cranny before prining the letter out. Again, make sure your CV is equally as enticing as your letter.

Now you have your Cover Letter in order, check our CV Tips.

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new"

~Albert Einstein