This site is getting an increasing number of hits from people searching for advice on CVs and Cover Letters.
Please read my article on putting a CV / Resume together and comment if you agree or disagree with my advice.
In regards to cover letters, I will put my list of Do’s and Don’t’s below and add some links to examples of what I think are going to give you a better chance.
Do’s
- Always attach a cover letter to your CV or Resume
- Make sure you address it to the relevant person in the business
- Use key words from the advertisement in your letter
- Address both the Skills and Experience Requirements identified in the Ad
- Put the most convenient and accessible ways to contact you ie Mobile and Email
- Space it out and make it easy to read
- Differentiate between sending it to a recruiter or the company itself
- Make it one page
- Make it unique to you and what you can offer
- Include call to action – Request an Interview, Tell them you will call to follow up in 2-3 days
- Be confident
Don’t’s
- Make spelling mistakes
- Address it to a different role or company or person by mistake
- Send a generic cover letter
- Make it more than one page
- Include unnecessary filler such as “Please find my resume enclosed”
- Explain why the role will be good for you
- Waste the first paragraph with filler, make an impact so they keep reading
So here are some example templates I have put together;
Please tell me if there are any mistakes and email me any improved versions.
Thanks
Tim
Posted under Jobs
This post was written by Tim on August 26, 2009


