CV (Link) & Cover Letters

Your #CoverLetter is the first impression you make on an employer! Check out these quick tips on format and structure, along with some cover letter examples that will resonate and land you a job interview:

Format rules for cover letters

Step one is to properly structure your cover letter to make it direct and easy-to-read. Here are a few formatting rules you should follow:

Follow the business letter format

You’re applying for a job not sending a personal letter, so make sure you structure your cover letter into a formal?business letter format (https://owl.purdue.edu/). This will show that you know the proper rules of business communications and that you are detail oriented.

Start with the sender’s address (that’s you), double space and enter the date, double space and type the full address of the recipient (that’s the employer), double space and write your greeting, double space and enter the body of your letter, double space, enter the closing salutation, and then sign off with your full name.

Use the hiring manager’s name

In the greeting, use the last name of the hiring manager. “Dear Mr. Smith” will always work better than “Dear Recruiter” or “To Whom It May Concern.”

If the hiring manager’s name isn’t included in the job posting, you’ll need to do some research to figure out who you should address the letter to. Do some digging on LinkedIn and look though the staff page on the company website. Don’t be afraid to make an educated guess. Even if you target the wrong person, including a specific name shows that you’ve been doing your research on the company.

If you want to play it safe, address the letter to the head of the department to which you’re applying or, if it’s a smaller organisation, the leader of the organisation.

Break up your paragraphs

Each paragraph should be concise and the entire body of the cover letter should be broken into short digestible chunks. Start a new paragraph when you begin a new idea or point, when your readers need a pause, or when you are ending your introduction, main points, or starting a conclusion.

Breaking up paragraphs isn’t just about proper grammar. It also improves readability. Readers tend to skip over big blocks of uninterrupted text. Crafting shorter paragraphs make it more likely that your cover letter actually gets read.

Use bullet points

You might also consider using bullet points to address one-off items that don’t require any extra explanation. For example, bullets are a great way to highlight high-level skills or qualifications, without being trapped in a paragraph structure.

Keep it to a page

There’s some debate about the ideal length for a CV, but it is an absolute rule that cover letters should be no longer than one page. Conciseness is a virtue!

Style rules for cover letters

Cover letters aren’t just about structure; a killer cover letter also needs to have style. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Don’t repeat your CV

Don’t use your cover letter to simply repeat the information already in your CV. Doing so is redundant and makes for a particularly tedious reading experience. While you may want to briefly touch on your past experiences, the focus of your cover letter is how you can apply those experiences to the employer’s current needs.

Focus on the employer’s needs

This is the most important thing you need to remember! The cover letter isn’t about you (or at least it isn’t entirely about you.) It’s about the employer and their challenges. The best cover letters show that you understand the employer’s problems and are already thinking about how you can help them.

You want the employer to feel like you’re writing this letter just for them. That means you need to research the organisation’s specific challenges and address how you can help them in these areas.

Show some personality

While the overall tone of your cover letter should be professional, don’t be afraid to show a bit of personality. A creative introduction or some personal information can help your application stand out from the pile of boring cover letters, full of stale business speak.

Remember that culture fit is a major consideration in hiring decisions. It isn’t always the most qualified candidate who gets the job. Sometimes having a shared connection with the hiring manager–a love of baseball, or an affinity for tacos, for example–can make all the difference in getting your foot in the door.

Name drop

People also get interviewed (and hired) because of who they know. If you have an inside lead in the organization, or a shared connection with the hiring manager make sure you share that information in the cover letter.

People will sometimes roll their eyes when you name drop in a social conversation. Don’t worry about that in your cover letter. Employers want to hire people who are already known and trusted in their field. A referral from a known shared connection can fast-track your application to the interview process.

Explain why

This is probably the most important aspect of any cover letter. You need to make it crystal clear why you want to work for the company. (Hint: your reason has to be about more than just a wage packet!).

Employers want people who are passionate and excited about working the job. You can showcase your interest in the position by explaining why you’re applying.

Consider the following questions:

• What about the job description caught your attention?
• How have your previous experiences brought you to this point?
• How does this job fit into your career goals?
• What do you like about the hiring organisation?

Answer these questions in your cover letter and you’ll make a great impression with the employer.

Examples of a couple of my cover letters and CV

LINK TO LEANNE BARNES' CV: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DexsXFmW-wy8JdtyukogbgucT_vS4_sQ/view?usp=share_link

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ssaINwtLzhYSVzwJsxH0D98yvv3kCiFh/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=118128109906164769358&rtpof=true&sd=true (link to another example cover letter)

COVER LETTER EXAMPLE

Dear Ms Heshmati,

In my search for new creative endeavours, I was thrilled to find the Event Sales Executive opening with Bafta. As an ambitious professional experienced in social media, events and public relations, I believe that I would make an excellent addition to your team.

Identifying improved approaches and enhanced solutions to business challenges are activities that drive and inspire me. Exploration, pursuit and motivation are my frameworks for success. I believe that fresh perspectives and trying new techniques help businesses evolve and grow. Like Bafta, my goal is to be on the cutting-edge of industry advancements.

Contributions to my former Caseworker role, and this field at-large, revolve around my essential talents in managing campaigns and corporate communications. I have developed strong abilities in innovation and fostered a reputation as a key contributor through critical thinking and communication skills. As a team player, I am collaborative with peers and search for ways to integrate valuable insights. Through these qualities, I have confidence in my ability to facilitate positive change and collective effort.

For a greater illustration of my background and qualifications, please review my attached CV. I am really eager to speak with you about this opportunity and thoroughly appreciate your time and consideration.

Best regards,

Leanne Barnes

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EXAMPLE COVER LETTER FROM WEB:

John Doe

321 Main Street

Portland, OR 97206

Acme Corp

Attention: John Smith, Managing Director

555 Market Street

Portland, OR 97204

Mr. Smith:

My former colleague, Deborah Black, recently mentioned that you were looking for a skilled communications and marketing professional to help grow Acme Corp. I would like to throw my hat into the ring for your consideration.

I have been in the communications field for nearly a decade and have extensive experience with website management, product development, sales, content marketing, and copywriting. I’ve monetized nonprofit websites before and have no doubt that I can increase margins (and overall standing) at Acme.

Since resigning from my position at the GlobalCorp in February, I’ve been searching for my next big professional adventure. I am looking to join an organization that is entrepreneurial, socially-minded and progressive with its communication strategy. Acme seems like it fits this mold perfectly.

Let’s talk about this opportunity and the specific goals you have for Acme Corp. I believe I can help you reach these objectives as your new Communications Manager. I see the prospects for a happy and productive fit.

Regards,

John Doe

https://www.dhirubhai.net/your-profile-URL