What to include in your Covering Letter.
Your CV should include…
When writing your cover letter keep it brief, while making sure it emphasises your suitability for the job. It can be broken down into the following sections:
- First paragraph – The opening statement should set out why you’re writing the letter. Begin by stating the position you’re applying for, when you are available to start and where you saw the opportunity.
- Second paragraph – Highlight relevant experience and demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the job description. Summarise any additional strengths and explain how these could benefit the organisation.
- Third paragraph – Cover why you’re suitable for the job, what attracted you to this type of work, why you’re interested in working for the organisation and what you can offer the organisation.
- Considerations: Please use this opportunity to let us know if you need us to take anything into consideration that will better enable you to attend interview, and if successful occupy the advertised post.
- Last paragraph – Use the closing paragraph to round up your letter. Reiterate your interest in the role, mention any unavailable dates.
- How long: Please ensure your Covering Letter is no more than 2 sides of A4, about 600 words.
Before submitting your CV please check to make sure it is up to date and accurately reflects your experience and skills.
- Contact details
- Profile: The profile should be concise statement that highlights your key attributes and helps you stand out from the crowd.
- Education – List and date all previous education, including professional qualifications. Place the most recent first. Include qualification type/grades, and the dates. Mention specific modules only where relevant.
- Work experience – List your work experience in reverse date order, making sure that anything you mention is relevant to the job you’re applying for. Include your job title, the name of the company, how long you were with the organisation and key responsibilities.
- Skills and achievements: Don’t exaggerate your abilities, as you’ll need to back up your claims at interview. If you’ve got lots of job-specific skills you should do a skills-based CV.
- Interests – Ensure these are relevant to the post. If you don’t have any relevant hobbies or interests leave this section out.
- References – You don’t need to provide the names of referees at this stage. You can say ‘references available upon request.
