| When a job vacancy is advertised in print or | | | | competence. |
| online thousands of hopeful applicants send in their | | | | When in doubt use a "template" , a sample of one |
| resumes for consideration. So if you want to be | | | | is given below. |
| short listed and land the much coveted job you | | | | Letter Template |
| must ensure that your covering letter is the best. | | | | Name & Title: |
| It should be well written, precise and informative. | | | | Your Address: |
| Make the letter relevant to the vacancy and | | | | Position: Your Telephone number; email address. |
| highlight why you are most suited. Use relevant | | | | Name and Address of Company: |
| experience detailed in your cv in the covering | | | | Date: |
| note to indicate what you will bring to the | | | | Dear {Mrs, Miss, Ms, Dr, Mr} {Name}, |
| company and position advertised. | | | | Position applied for and reference number may |
| 1. Experts in HR advice that the covering letter | | | | form a subject heading. |
| should be specifically directed to the person | | | | Paragraph One: Should introduce yourself and say |
| mentioned in the advertisement. | | | | why you are writing? Use a conventional opening |
| 2. Use a professional format and tone in the | | | | stating the purpose of the letter, where and |
| letter. If you do not know the person's name | | | | when you saw the vacancy advertised etc. |
| address the letter to "sir or madam." | | | | Paragraph Two: Introduce yourself and your |
| 3. The covering letter should be brief, never more | | | | abilities. Who are you? |
| than one page long. It is the teaser that must | | | | What are you doing now or have done recently? |
| tempt the person to read further. | | | | . |
| 4. Plan to use several small paragraphs and keep | | | | Paragraph Three: Highlight your talents: why you |
| sentences to the point. | | | | can do the job, your key skills, personal qualities, |
| 5. Ensure that you include contact details and the | | | | relevant experience, achievements. Use the Job |
| date of writing the letter and information such as | | | | Description and Person Specification to 'Fit |
| job codes given in the advertisement. | | | | Yourself to the Job' - give evidence! Be positive & |
| 6. Make the letter job specific. Write why your | | | | imaginative but not arrogant. It is important to be |
| experience matters and how it will suit the job | | | | convincing. |
| advertised. The reader must be convinced that | | | | Paragraph Four: Say why you are applying. What |
| you are ideal for the job. | | | | attracts you to the job and company? Indicate: |
| 7. End the letter with "Yours Sincerely". | | | | Enthusiasm, Motivation, and Confidence. Explain |
| Read the advertisement carefully and follow | | | | what you think the company can do for you and |
| instructions in a stepwise manner. Always check | | | | what you can do for the company. |
| the letter and cv for typos, punctuation, and | | | | Paragraph Five: Use a Conventional closing |
| errors. Never hand write the covering letter it | | | | statement, confirm what you want. Indicate |
| should be typed with proper formatting and line | | | | availability for interview or meeting? |
| spacing. | | | | Yours sincerely, |
| Be sure to present key points in logical order. Get | | | | {signature} |
| another person to objectively read the letter. | | | | Print Name |
| Avoid using too many Is and write a letter aimed | | | | Use good quality white paper and if its an |
| at the "5 second reader." Your professionalism | | | | e-application follow the formatting for emailing |
| should show through the letter as also your | | | | letters. |