Your cover letter is the recruiter’s first impression of you, and as such is an integral and vital part of the job application process. A high-quality cover letter will ensure that your CV is noticed, and will set you apart from the bulk of competition.
Before writing a Cover letter, a few things should be done:
Analyze Yourself: Consider what you have to offer and what skills/ qualifications are relevant to the position and organization.
Analyze the Advertisement: Take note of the description of the work, not simply the job title. Assume that the duties outlined are the ones the employer considers most important and think about how to link your skills and experience directly to them. Always keep the employer’s needs in mind and don’t mention items that are irrelevant to the position.
Note the Qualification Listed: Consider how your qualifications match this list, and if they do not exactly fit, think about how or why you feel your qualifications would be relevant.
Writing the Cover Letter
Introduction (1-3 sentences):
- Name the job for which you are applying and tell how you learned about it
- State that you are qualified to do the job based on your background (give the employer a sense of your confidence in your own abilities)
- State that you are very interested in the job or the organization and indicate a specific or unique reason why this job or organization appeals to you, which in turn shows that you have done some research – keep this brief)
Body (1-3 paragraphs):
- Determine what you are going to discuss in terms of your education, work/volunteer experience, skills, interests, personality and beliefs (focus on the ones which address the job’s most important requirements)
- Subdivide the body into sections – one possibility is: first paragraph describes what you have to offer, the second describes your interest in and knowledge about the organization
- State the skills/strengths you will bring to the job (address all those asked for in the job advertisement) and include examples or descriptions of how you have acquired and demonstrated each skill/strength
- Explain how the skills/strengths you mention would be useful in the new position
- When including an example of your abilities be specific to allow the employer to visualize what you have done and can do (quantify: how long did you do it, how much responsibility did you have, what techniques did you use and why were they useful?)
Conclusion (1-3 sentences):
- If your body section is more than one paragraph, restate that you are qualified to do the job, but make this sentence different from the one in your opening paragraph
- Thank the employer for taking the time to consider your application
- State that you would like to meet in person to further discuss the job and your qualifications or that you hope to hear from them soon
- You may also want to tell the employer where and when you can be contacted if they require further information.
A few more tips…
- Avoid using Sir or Madam, rather take the time to find out the name of the HR Officer or relevant manager within the company, or use the contact’s name if this is present on the job you’ve seen advertised
- Always check for any spelling mistakes, odd grammar or bad punctuation. Check twice, even three times mistakes such as these are sure to create a bad impression straight away
- Avoid waffling. Your letter should be brief and concise. All details are already included in your CV, and the reader will be put off if your letter is too lengthy
- Always sell yourself, within reason, on the specific requirements mentioned in the advert, demonstrating why you are suited to the job in question
- Avoid fancy fonts and formats, and always make sure the font is of a standard size
- Always make sure your contact details are up to date, and correct
I love the tips you gave for writing a cover letter but I feel you have written a sample cover letter.
Secondly, how will I write a cover letter that I have no experience on or for entry level jobs. For instance, customer service jobs or bank teller jobs.
Good job, but it could be more explanatory if u can give us the format.
Beautiful tips you gave there on cover later/application, but it could have been more beautiful if a sample of it is given out. Thanks
I like the tips you gave for the cover letter, but what about a person with no experience, like an entry level candidates seeking for entry levels jobs.
How would they write a cover letter in engineering jobs, like in mechanical and electrical. Thank you.
Is a good one.thank you for the guidelines. But how about a cover letter for an entry level?
I like the tips you gave for the
cover letter, but what about a
person with no experience, like
an entry level candidates seeking
for entry levels jobs.
How would they write a cover letter in engineering jobs, like in
mechanical and electrical. Thank
you.
Please kindly send me a sample of a good cover letter and CV format.
nice tips but i will appreciate samples of cover letter and cv for logistics and supply chain mgt pls send them to me
The tips was clearly stated i appreciate, but how can I write a cover letter with no experience
I second to Adewale’s last question on how does one prepare a cover letter for an entry-level job? Better still, is a cover letter needed for entry-level jobs application?
I love this article. It’s clear and insightful, I’m concern about who to direct cover letters to. Many job listing don’t include the office or the name of the person to receive the letter. Now you said find out who the person is; how are you going to do that when companies do not post the list their personnel nor is it added to the job post. When you are not sure who to direct the letter to, is it not best to send it “to whom it may concern”? Please throw more light on this, it is a serious concern.
Being a HND graduate in accouting having the Knowledge of accounting if being employed I will invest my skills to keep accurate records of financial statements. And I wish to be obedient, honesty and punctual why at work.
A HND graduate in accouting having the Knowledge of accounting if employed I will invest my skills to keep accurate records of financial statements. And I wish to be obedient, honesty and punctual why at work.
This is the job I have been dreaming of,i we be homebuil to work in this company
i appreciate your guidiance in to writing a cover letter.but, i want a sample of any cover letter that will help me to frame my own.thanks
Nice piece u got here. Am an HND graduate in Otm. I want a sample of a cover letter n cv format pls?
Thumbs up for the piece but you would have killed it if you included a sample. Pls can you help me with a format?? Thanks in anticipation.
Hi jobberman most of job vacancies does not include the HR officers name or any name at all.if we re writing a cover letter how are we going to write it
A good job well done.. For a sample Cover letter, kindly Google search as to ur field.. Read n digest to form urs. Thanks
Good tips u ve here,please can you send a good copy of cover letter
Good tips u ve here,please can you send a good copy of cover letter
Thanks so much for the guideline but i wish to have a sample of it
Nice tips but I would like a format of it.
You can download a copy embedded into the post. Kindly take a look at the post to download a free copy.
Good day,I really appreciate the tips you have given. Please can a get a sample cover letter through my mail. i will really appreciate that thanks.
You can download a copy embedded into the post. Kindly take a look at the post to download a free copy.
Why are ya all asking for a format. Create yours
please give me tips on how to write a cover letter on account or finance job.
lovely one, please i need a sample so as to write mine
tanks for your tips,what of even the advertiser name is not identify,what will you do in sure case?
Please I need a sample for better letter to write mine. Thanking you for your cooperation and understanding.
Hello Dare, you can use this link to download a sample.
Good work! jobberman , pls I paid for job insight some days ago but it has not been activated. What can I do?
The tips given are very educative but I will suggest for a format so asto enable one get a vivid guideline.thanks
nice tip and well educative
The achievement of tomorrow starts today.
Thank you so much for this tips, they are precise and very clear. My problem is that I am applying for a job at the go and there isn’t any contact name to address the cover letter to. I remember in the tips you gave on cover letter writing you advised us not to use Dear sir or madam, so in this case kindly advice what I’ll do. Thank you as I await your favorable response.
Can i get a sample of the cover letter please
your guideline for cover letter is lovely, but i will appreciate it better, if i can get a sample of it so as to write mine, thank you.
Message..To good to be real
Hello Mohammed, Thanks for the observation. If you could shed more light on the specific part of the article that you are making reference to, we would be able to narrow down our explanation. Thank you once again and wishing you the very best in your career.
Send me a format of cover letter
Nice tips, Thanks
Nice tips. thanks
Good guideline,
but i need more tips to distinguish me from others
thanks
Message.Perfect guideline.thanks
Thanks for the tips
Comments are closed.