Cover Letter Guide

Step 2: Cover Letter

  • A one-page document attached to a CV tailored for the job and company at hand. 
  • Highlights your passion for the role and company you are applying to. 
  • Enables you to bring something extra – it allows the employer to learn even more about you: your personality, why you want the job and gain insight into your application. 
  • It is your chance to sell yourself to the employer in the form of a one-page document that is more elaborate than a CV.
  • Personal details (full name, address, phone number, email address)
  • Date
  • Company’s name and address
  • What you are currently studying/studied and the role you are applying for
  • Why did you apply to this company specifically? Why did they stand out?
  • Why are you suitable for this role – relevant work experience, achievements, extracurriculars. What skills will you bring to the company?
  • Closing statement (including thanking the recruiter for their time)
Contact information 
Like a standard letter, the first section should include your contact information. It is placed on the right side of the letter and consists of the following details: 
  •  Your full name
  •  The first line of the address
  •  Town/City
  •  Postcode
Date
Add the date on the right-hand side, below the address. 
Company’s Details
Similar to how you would present your contact information, except the company’s name and address should be located on the left-hand side. 
Salutation 
You will now put whom the letter is addressed to. You may include Sir or Madam if you are unaware of the recruiter’s name. 
Introduction 
This should be 2-3 sentences long and should include your current status (if you are a student or a graduate), your interest in the vacancy, and expressing that you wish to develop. 
First paragraph 
The first paragraph addresses your interest in the role and why you wish to work at this company. Use this opportunity to show the company that you have done your research, and you have spent a lot of time on your application. This is also the opportunity to say how you are suited to the role. 
Middle paragraph 
This paragraph highlights why the role appeals to you and discusses how the responsibilities of the position complement your personality and experiences. You can share your previous work experiences and extracurricular activities (if relevant to the point you are making). 
Final paragraph 
The final paragraph is the chance to impress. Tailor your competency skills to the role and include your achievements. Demonstrate your capabilities and how you will apply your work ethic to the role. 
Conclusion 
Conclude by thanking them for their consideration and express your excitement at the prospect of working for them. 
 
IMPORTANT! 
If you addressed them as ‘Sir/Madam”, then use ‘Yours faithfully’ in the closing. Otherwise, you can use ‘Yours sincerely’ if you have addressed them by name. 

 

RESEARCH! It is that simple. What makes a good cover letter is the specific details that you use for each company. What to research, you ask? Follow these pointers to help you write your cover letter:
  •  Company’s culture and principles
  •  Mission statement
  •  Products, services and clients 
  •  Recent events and news 
  •  Popular campaigns and programmes that they have launched 
 
Besides the company, make sure to familiarise yourself with the role that you are applying for. It is your chance to sell yourself and show the recruiter that you were made for this role. This requires you to research on:
  •  Day-to-day responsibilities 
  •  Required skills 
  •  Routes to progression 
 
Everyone loves to talk about themselves. This is your golden opportunity to do just that and show the recruiter why hiring you is the obvious choice. If you have no idea how to do that, here is a list of things to get you started:
  •  Your education and work experience 
  •  Extracurricular activities you have done 
  •  Volunteer work 

Companies understand that not everyone is fortunate enough to get working experience, especially if you have just completed your pre-university education. In this scenario, do not focus on what you lack, but emphasise what you have already done and how that makes you an ideal candidate. How?

 
1. Show off your education
  • Did you achieve any accomplishments during school? Win any awards? Or did you reach your predicted grades?
  • Accomplishments that seem unimportant to you can be valuable to the employer. 
 
2. Be enthusiastic 
  • Across any application, you should display enthusiasm towards the role.
  • If this is a first-time position, you can show your excitement and positive attitude towards the prospect of the role.
 
3. Transferable skills
  • This is the most important tip of all. For every accomplishment, extracurricular and experience, there is a skill to be obtained.
  • Employers love soft skills – it shows off your qualities and your ability to work with other people.
  • You do not need to have work experience to develop analytical skills or networking skills. You can use this to your advantage when writing your cover letter. 

  • Make sure your cover letter is only one page and is clear and concise.

  • The tone of voice should match theirs. Is it corporate, or is it more fun and covered in rainbows?

  • Keep the font size at 12 and use font style Arial or Times New Roman.

  • Save it as PDF so the format is locked.

  • Back up your cover letter with facts and figures.

  • Be enthusiastic. Remember to show your excitement.

  • Write it clearly, distinguishing each paragraph.

  • MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO GRAMMATICAL ERRORS OR SPELLING MISTAKES.

  • NEVER COMPLAIN ABOUT A PREVIOUS EMPLOYEE OR SCHOOL EXPERIENCE. Always be positive across your application.