Once a resume or CV has been finalised and suitable employment opportunities have been identified, the next step in the job search process is to prepare a good cover letter to send with the employment applications. Writing a good cover letter for resumes and CVs is not difficult. Letters should be concise and to the point. The following tips and sample letter should assist.
Tips for Writing a Good Cover Letter to Accompany CVs, Resumes & Employment Applications
Most importantly, a good covering letter to send with employment applications needs to be simple but concise, laid out in a professional format and ideally no more than a page in length. There is no point in regurgitating information from CVs or resumes in cover letters.
Standard business typefaces, such as Arial or Times New Roman, are ideal for cover letters as they are common fonts used in commerce.
Employers will not appreciate gothic typefaces, italicised fonts or printed letters with a handwritten appearance. All of these typefaces are difficult to read.
Good covering letters for employment applications should incorporate the following:
- Standard business typefaces to be used for ease of reading
- Emboldened or underlined text to be used only in subheading
- Concise letter which is not a summary of the resume or CV
- Reference should be made to the reason(s) for applying for the vacancy
- Include at least one positive comment about personal attributes to encourage the prospective employer to study the CV in depth
It is imperative that the letter is proofread for errors and typos prior to posting. Employers will always appreciate applicants prepared to spend time ensuring a professional appearance and layout as this is one vital business attribute.
Standardized Layout for Job Search Cover Letters
The following points should be noted with regard to standard layout for cover letters:
- Name and contact address for job applicant, together with the date of application should be justified at top right.
- If window envelopes are used, addressee contact details should be printed at the left hand side. Folding the letter into three, concertina style, will enable address details to fit exactly into the envelope window.
- Standard opening salutation is generally Dear Sir or Madam, with closure for this type of letter generally being Yours faithfully.
- An emboldened reference to the vacancy, together with any position reference number is recommended. Ideally the applicant name should also appear in this reference.
- Do not be afraid to emphasise positive attributes and qualities in the job cover letter as these will "tease" employer interest .
Finally, this sample job search cover letter can be completed, however all emboldened sections will need editing by job applicants.
In conclusion, writing a good cover letter for resumes and CVs is not a difficult task to undertake. A letter with a professional layout, giving at least one brief reason for interest in the position and some emphasis on a candidate's positive attributes will be helpful for most job vacancies.
See Also: How to Write Individual Personal Statements for Job Applications
Dawn Denmar - Studying for a BA in Journalism and History, Dawn's innate curiosity about life has led to articles covering a range of topics and ...
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