Covering Letters – How To Make Your Great First Impression

Chances are you’ve spent a lot of time working on your CV. Most job seekers spend hours perfecting the details regarding their skills and professional history. However, without strong covering letters to go out with those CVs, you may find that your hard work won’t pay off. Covering letters are a 1-2 page introduction to you and your CV. A good letter provides potential employers with insight into who you are and what you can bring to the company. It is the hook that persuades a hiring manager to take a closer look at your CV instead of tossing it into their slush pile. When you begin work on your covering letter, if at all possible, try to address it to whoever makes the hiring decisions within the firm. Letters that are addressed “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam” are less likely to be given careful consideration than one addressed to a specific person. After addressing your letter, make sure you get right to the point. Whether you are replying to a job posting or sending a letter on speculation, you don’t want to waste your audience’s time. If the hiring manager has to hunt through your correspondence for the reason you are writing, you risk losing them. Respect their time by telling them in the first line why you are writing. The body of covering letters acts as your sales pitch. It is your opportunity to explain exactly what qualifies you for the position in question. Briefly review your qualities and experience, but only as they are relevant to the job being requested. Again, respect the time of the hiring manager and keep the body of your letter to 3-6 paragraphs. At the end of covering letters, there should be a request for the reader to do something. In most cases, you will want to specifically ask for an interview. If the letter is being sent on speculation and there is not a current job posting to reference, you may wish to end by inviting the hiring manager to call you to discuss the matter further. In addition, state in your letter that you will be following-up by phone within the next week. Finally, end the letter with a professional salutation such as “Sincerely.” Covering letters that end in “Best wishes” or “Thanks” are too informal for this type of correspondence. As you write covering letters, keep these other tips in mind as well… Include all your contact information at the top of the letter. Indicate any enclosures such as your CV. Print covering letters on a computer for professionalism. Sign letters in blue or black ink. Be enthusiastic about the job but do not mistake informality for enthusiasm. Proofread letters carefully. A typo ridden letter is a sure ticket to the trash bin.   To your career success, Martin Allen

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