The language of covering letters

What is a covering letter?
A covering letter is the letter which you send with your CV or application form when you are applying for a job.The aim of the letter is to explain to your potential employer why you think you are the best person for the job. Here, in an extract from Get That Job!, employment advisor Mike MacDowd tells us why the covering letter is so important. Before you read, think about the information you should put in a covering letter.What should it tell a possible employer?

Never send a CV on its own, otherwise it will probably end up in the wastepaper bin. Even if you haven’t been asked to write a letter, it’s polite to send a short one to explain who you are and why you have sent your CV.
In most cases, you will have to send a detailed covering letter. It normally has information in four parts.The first part relates to the specific reason for writing, then you might explain further why you are writing in more detail – for example information about who you are, your motivation for wanting the job. In the third part, you need to talk about what relevant skills you can bring to the job itself and, finally, you need a short, polite end to the letter.

1. Why is it not a good idea to send a CV to a company without a covering letter?
2. Mike talks about the four parts of the covering letter. Can you give each part a title?

Answer

1. Don’t send a CV without a letter because the person who receives it might simply throw it away.
2. The four sections could be called:
   a) introduction
   b) personal information / reason for writing
   c) suitability – why you are suitable for the job
   d) concluding comment

The keys to organising a covering letter

Here are the five most important points to follow when you are writing a letter to apply for a job.

1. Begin by saying what job you are applying for. e.g.
   Dear Ms Smith
   I would like to apply for the position of sales assistant, as advertised in The Globe magazine.
2. Explain why you are interested in the job and the employer – give them an example of how you have shown your interest in the past. e.g.
   I am keen to pursue a career in sales and have had one year’s experience selling advertising for Bates Office Supplies.
3. Tell the employer about your skills – don’t copy exactly what you have on your CV, but pick two or three key points you want to emphasise. e.g.
   In addition to my growing knowledge of marketing, I can offer many skills, for example …
   … computer and IT skills / … English language skills / … dealing with a wide range of people.
4. In the last paragraph, end your letter politely.You may want to tell them when you are available. e.g.
   I am available for interview at any time and look forward to hearing from you.
5. Remember – if you know the name of the person you are writing to (for example, Mrs Smith) write Dear
   Mrs Smith and end your letter Yours sincerely. If you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to, write Dear Sir or Madam and close the letter Yours faithfully.

Letter task

Think about a job you would like to have. It might be one which you are going to apply for soon or it might be one which you would like to work towards in the future. Brainstorm the information you might put into the letter. Use the information given in ‘Effective writing skills 2’ on page 3 to help you draw up a suitable letter.