What and How to Write Cover Letter?

A covering letter is essentially an advert for your CV.

As it will most likely be read before your CV, it should be convincing and at a glance it must grab the reader’s attention enough to encourage them to read any attached Curriculum Vitae. They should be seen by jobseekers as an excellent opportunity to communicate directly to the recruiter and a useful way to demonstrate their suitability for a job.

What is a cover letter?

This is a simple, concise and formal letter that you send with your CV when applying for a job. It can help your CV to get noticed, is vital in creating a good first impression and can be a key factor in getting you invited to a job interview.

Its aim is to build on the information you provide in your resume, and it must make sufficient impact on the reader to make them want to know more about you. It is a socially acceptable way of introducing yourself and explaining which vacancy you're applying for or which area you are enquiring about.

It gives a personal touch to your job application which your CV cannot do, and is an ideal opportunity to match your skills and experience to those on the job specification. In essence a cover letter gives you the chance to express all those things that do not comfortably fit into a CV's rigid structure. Therefore it should express a high level of interest and knowledge about the position, and be used to promote you as a person, your achievements and your personal qualities.

Apart from demonstrating your communication skills and thereby setting you apart from other applicants, they can be used to;

• Highlight information that is not given in your CV. 
• Convince the employer of your enthusiasm. 
• Explain special circumstances as to why you are suitable for the role. 
• Give details of when you are available for interview. 
• Reaffirm your Unique Selling Point. 
• Explain any anomalies, like career gaps in your CV and application. 
• Tell an employer when you are available to start work. 
• Compliment a potential employer on their brand or reputation. 
• Perhaps they have launched a new product or service that has greatly impressed you. 

With all of these points in mind, we have listed below tips that you should follow if you want to increase your chances of receiving more interview invitations.