The objective of a covering letter is to present a brief overview of yourself to the employer. By presenting your personal information in a logical format, your objective is to convince the employer that your skills are valuable to the employer.

Below are some tips to aid you in preparing a concise cover letter.

• Avoid lengthy letters exceeding 1 page. Most cover letters consist of 3 paragraphs.
• Paragraph 1: Brief self-introduction including a description of your career objective.
• Paragraph 2: A short description of your education, skills and other relevant information.
• Paragraph 3: A closing paragraph indicating your salary requirements, contact address and contact number.
• Ensure that you include your email and phone/fax contact.
• Double check for errors and make sure the appearance and tone feel right throughout.

Format of the letter

• Unless a handwritten letter is requested, word-processed is best – it looks more professional
• Use a clear, readable font – Times New Roman, Helvetica and Arial are good choices
• If a handwritten letter is requested, make sure it’s clear, neat and smudge-free
• Aim for no more than three paragraphs and keep sentences short
• Make sure your letter has both your address and the prospective employer’s address at the top
• If known, address the letter to a named person, i.e. the one who advertised the vacancy. If no particular name was mentioned, ‘Madam/Sir’
• If the letter is addressed to a named person, end it with ‘Yours sincerely’. If not, use ‘Yours faithfully’
• Do remember to add your signature at the end of the letter

Checklist for a covering letter

Ensure you have taken care of the following before sending the letter:

• Done your research on the company
• Addressed your covering letter to the right person
• Included both addresses at the top
• Stated what the job is and where you saw it advertised
• Made it clear why you want to work for them and why your skills match the job
• Reflected the job advertisement’s tone
• Made yourself sound positive and enthusiastic
• Kept it clear and brief, with good presentation
• Checked and double-checked for errors

Useful websites:

http://jobsadvice.guardian.co.uk/