how to write a great covering letter

How to write a great covering letter from changeboard.com

What is a covering letter for?

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Your CV is the main event, but your cover letter is what will entice an employer to read it

A cover letter should outline the relevant parts of your CV

Who should you address it to?Find out who your letter should be addressed to, either by calling the company and asking, or doing research on LinkedIn or the company website

If you can’t find the right person, write to a senior member of staff and ask them to pass it on with a request

to contact you The chances of the person in charge

of hiring not calling you back are slim – who’s going to ignore a request

from the boss?changeboard.co

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Axe the formal tone

Being yourself will allow recruiters to assess whether you’re suited for the role

You don’t want to get the job just to find out you’re not the

right fit for the role

Ignore your instincts

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State a time when you will follow up with them, and then make sure you do

Be bold

Choose a time and date that gives you plenty of time to

prepare

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Submitting an applicationIf you’re submitting your application in hard copy, hand-write the recipient’s name and addressMost people open handwritten mail first

If you’re submitting an application via email, craft an interesting subject

line to make yours stand out For example you could use

“Introduction from…” if you have a contact at the company

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Important questions to consider “What do they want to

know?”

“How am I going to add value to the team?”

Tell them why you want to work for their company, why you want the position,

and why they want to hire you

Let the answers to these questions guide your writing

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For more tips…

For industry-leading careers advice and the latest jobs in human resources, go to:

www.changeboard.com

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