Cover Letter Tips

What is a cover letter? What is a motivation letter? What should I put in it? Here are some great tips that will help you to create a brilliant letter of motivation or cover letter.

   
     
  • A cover letter is the letter you send for a specific job offer. A motivation letter is a prospective letter that you send to a company who are not advertising positions but you would like to work for.
  • A cover or motivation letter should be customized for each job that you apply for and pay attention to the following:
    • An introductory paragraph stating what the letter is about; state why you are applying to the company and the position in particular (if applicable why you would be an asset to the company).
    • Draw attention to any particular skills, qualifications or experience which make you suited to the post being applied for.
    • Add any further details about yourself which are particular to the job.
    • A closing paragraph.
    • Do not begin the letter with "My name is ....."
    • Try to avoid sentences starting with “I”.
    • You must use formal endings such as ‘Yours sincerely’ (if you know the person’s name) or ‘Yours faithfully’ (if you don’t know the person’s name).
    • Companies do not want to read standard covering letters with just their name inserted. Each letter must reflect the individual job you are applying for.
    • Layout should be left hand formatted. Do not indent paragraphs.
    • Check spelling and grammar. Spelling errors creates a bad impression.
    • Proof read your cover letter for errors and to make sure it reads smoothly and clearly.
  • Remember to keep a copy of all letters sent.
 
STUDENTJOB-USA.COM, the recruitment agency for students