Always send a covering letter with your Resume/CV.
Guidelines
Always prepare an original letter ? never use a standard one.
Make it specific to the job for which you are applying, refer to the job title and quote any reference numbers and advertisement details (source and date).
Make sure your letter serves a purpose ? ie it is not just a cover sheet for your Resume/CV.
It should say briefly ?
why you are applying for the job.
why you think you are well suited for it and
what sort of person you are.
Tips writing your cover letter
- Personalize it ? ie address it to a named individual and refer to any previous correspondence, conversation etc.
- Do not write ?to whom it may concern? and ?Dear Sir? or ?Dear Madam? ? get a name ? phone if necessary.
- Always type the letter.
- Be yourself ? don?t use complex, legalistic or bureaucratic language - and no humour.
- Catch the readers attention quickly ? you need to stand out.
- Be confident, positive and polite ? but don?t be arrogant or dema1nding.
- Be available - ie provide a phone number that will be answered and/or an E mail that is regularly checked.
- One page is enough.
- Check the spelling, syntax, grammar and layout.
- Make sure it is in the same format (same font, paper etc) as your Resume/CV ? otherwise your Resume will look like a standard document out of your files.
- Sign it.
- Attach it to your Resume.
- Keep a copy with your Resume.
