04
GETTING THE JOB
How to write the perfect covering letter While your CV lists your achievements, skills and interests, your covering letter provides the opportunity to bring them to life and show how they fit the role you're applying to. If you're feeling daunted by the blank page, read our tips on what to cover.
Get off to the right start
If you have a full named contact, use it. If not, why not telephone the organisation and ask them for the main contact? If you can't find anyone specific, stick to 'Dear Sir or Madam'.
Make your opening pitch
Include the job title or position you’re seeking (if you’re writing a speculative application) and where you found the opportunity. Briefly outline your credentials, and motivations for applying for the role. Make it powerful, punchy and concise. You can expand in more detail in following paragraphs.
Demonstrate that you understand the role
Explain how you meet (or exceed) the job criteria, and show that you possess relevant experience and skills based on past experience. Give concrete examples, which echo key words in the job description – the employer will be scanning for these.
Bring your CV to life
Refer to your CV or other application documents to provide backup evidence. You don’t need to say it all, or duplicate your CV, in your covering letter. Your covering letter should animate key points of your experience that are relevant to the job description.
State what the employer can offer you Geeta Gosyne MSc Workplace Health and Wellbeing “I had numerous consultations with two members of the Careers team with regards to CVs, covering letters and my career path. They were very friendly and highly knowledgeable in their respective fields. I thoroughly enjoyed these sessions as it broadened my scope and made me feel very confident entering the job market. I highly recommend these services.”
Your next steps For more covering letter tips, head to: 38
If the organisation’s culture and development opportunities attract you, then say so. This is also your opportunity to demonstrate that you have researched their activities and possess true motivation for the role. Be specific, and link their mission to your own interests.
Close on a positive
Make your closing line constructive, not rambling. If you used a named contact, end with ‘Yours sincerely’, otherwise use ‘Yours faithfully’.
nottingham.ac.uk/careers/coveringletters
