An cover letter should be sent with your completed application form or CV to introduce you and your application.
Here are some tips on writing the cover letter for your application:
- State why you are writing and what you want (if the job was advertised, state the position you are applying for – if it wasn’t advertised, state the type of job you are looking for).
- Try not to duplicate information already shown in your CV or the application form.
- Keep it short and factual.
- Use A4 sized paper, and keep it quite formal – no coloured inks, patterned or highly coloured papers.
- Make sure it is neat and without mistakes.
- Put your full name and email address on both CV and letter in case they get separated.
- Keep a copy for later reference.
Different types of letters are required in different situations. Here are some suggestions…
Speculative letter
Where you are writing to a company to find out if there are any jobs available, rather than applying for a specific vacancy.
Make sure you include information about the type of job you are looking for and a brief overview of your current situation, experience and skills. Sell yourself – show what can you offer the employer and why they should consider you. You should enclose your CV and could use information on this to help you decide what to include in the letter, but don’t copy text directly from your CV to the letter.
Cover letter enclosing either your CV or completed application form
Where you are applying for a specific vacancy and the employer has asked you to send either your CV or their own application form.
Make sure you include the title and reference (if there is one) of the vacancy and where you saw it advertised. In this type of letter you could again include a brief overview as in the Speculative Letter, but this time make sure the information you give is directly relevant to the vacancy you are applying for.
Letter requesting an application form and/or job details
Where you have seen a vacancy advertised which instructs you to ask for an application form.
This can be quite brief as you are simply requesting a form or more information, but make sure you include the title and reference (if there is one) of the vacancy and where you saw it advertised.
Talk to an SfYP Adviser
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