We spoke to learndirect, who provide learning, training, and employment opportunities across the country about cover letters, and their top tips for ensuring yours is effective.
A cover letter is a really important part of any application, this allows each candidate to explain why they are an ideal fit for the role, establish a connection with the company and finally describe how their skills fit with what’s required.
The following 4 points make up a great cover letter:
- Introduce yourself
- Be original – Don’t use cover letter templates; ask a friend or family member to sit with you and discuss what will makes you different to other.
- Be concise – Avoid ‘waffling’. Choose one or two special accomplishments relevant to the position but do not rehash what you have on your CV
- Finish on a high note – This is your opportunity to outline your next steps and reinforce your enthusiasm for the position
Things to avoid:
- Lack of research – When writing your cover letter there’s no need to go overboard but just ensure you have made it clear you know what they do, who they are and most importantly why you have chosen them.
- Not checking for errors – Before sending off your cover letter make sure you have checked your spelling and grammar. Ask a friend or family member to have a ready before you send this off.
A bad cover letter could mean the difference between your CV being looked at or not. If the ideal candidate needs to have good writing skills and a keen eye for detail then we wouldn’t look further than a poor cover letter. Our number 1 tip is to keep it concise, but make sure you write enough to showcase yourself, and explain why you’re applying for the role.
For more tips, training and information check out learndirect’s website!
