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Do's and don'ts of writing covering letters

If you're about to put together your covering letter, look over this Do’s and Don'ts checklist. If you follow our advice you’ll have recruiters praising you in no time!

Do’s:

  • Emphasis the points that are relevant to the job you are applying for, skills, work experience; all the main reasons why the employer would want you

  • Say why you are interested in applying for the job. Focus on what it is about the duties, work area, product, service, organisation or people that particularly attract you, says Claire Webb of the University of Western Australia.

  • Explain where you found out about the job opening – a newspaper, through networking?

  • Check and recheck your grammar, spelling etc

  • As with your CV, use positive and active words to describe your interest in the position and why you are the best candidate for the job

  • Do emphasis your long term career plans such as becoming a chartered engineer, notes Margaret Holbrough, a career advisor at the London South Bank University

  • Mention when you are available for an interview, and be as flexible as possible

  • State how you can be contacted for further information

  • Follow up on your application after a specific period of time – a time that you state in the covering letter.

Don'ts:

  • Don't just repeat what your CV says

  • Don't grovel! Saying they are the best employer ever and the only one you've ever wanted to work for sounds false and desperate. Be knowledgeable about them without going overboard in praise of them, says Holbrough.

  • Don't start asking about any additional benefits at this stage. You may be able to find some of this out by looking over the company’s web site, but if not wait until you get to the interview stage before asking for this kind of information

  • Don't produce a standard letter that isn't relevant to the particular job or organisation, Says Webb

  • Don't make it too long and detailed and don't include irrelevant information

  • Don't use jargon, abbreviations, acronyms or terminology that employers might not understand

  • Don't use ‘I’ too much it makes employers believe that you haven't thought about them

  • Don't draw attention to any negatives – e.g. poor exam results, lack of relevant experience. Highlight positives – interest in the job/company, transferable skills, self taught IT skills etc, says Holbrough.