Writing a good covering letter

Covering letters are an important method of communication. They can provide a friendly view or they can be formal documents offering factual information to people you have not met.

Letters have a standard format. If you are writing to a named person then it is ‘Yours sincerely’, if you write Dear Sir/Madam the correct ending is ‘Yours faithfully’.

A good letter can cut through the competition:

* it can make the employer want to talk to you;
* it can introduce them to your personality and your commitment to them;
* it can demonstrate your written communication skills.

Some good rules to remember writing a covering letter

Never put anything in your letter that cannot be backed by your CV or application form.

Generally letters sent with a CV or application form should:

* be addressed to a named person;
* state why you are writing, what you are applying for and what you are currently doing;
* flag up the most important/relevant thing you want the employer to know about you;
* refer the reader to your CV or application form;
* show that you know something about the company;
* make a connection between your skills and abilities and company needs or wants;
* identify the career you are seeking;
* be reasonably brief.

Remember if the covering letter is poor, the employer may not bother to read your CV or application form