Writing a Covering Letter

Why should you include a cover letter with your job application, even if it's optional?

• One page with four short paragraphs.
• Because employers care about how you can help them, not just why you want the job.
• It makes your experience real and memorable, especially if you include results.
• It helps you stand out and shows how you can add value to the employer.

What is the ideal length and structure of a cover letter?

• It makes your experience real and memorable, especially if you include results.
• Use the name of the person who will likely interview you.
• One page with four short paragraphs.
• Because employers care about how you can help them, not just why you want the job.

When is it acceptable to NOT send a cover letter?

• Full name, phone number, city and postcode, email address, LinkedIn link.
• When the employer specifically says not to include one.
• Because employers care about how you can help them, not just why you want the job.
• To look professional and consistent as part of the same job application.

What details should be included in the header of a cover letter?

• To look professional and consistent as part of the same job application.
• Use the name of the person who will likely interview you.
• It makes your experience real and memorable, especially if you include results.
• Full name, phone number, city and postcode, email address, LinkedIn link.

Why should the cover letter match the formatting of your CV?

• To look professional and consistent as part of the same job application.
• Ask for an interview and thank them for their time.
• It sounds old-fashioned and impersonal.
• One page with four short paragraphs.

What is the best way to address your cover letter greeting?

• Because employers care about how you can help them, not just why you want the job.
• It sounds old-fashioned and impersonal.
• How your skills and experience can help the company.
• Use the name of the person who will likely interview you.

Why should you avoid using "To Whom It May Concern" in your greeting?

• Full name, phone number, city and postcode, email address, LinkedIn link.
• Use the name of the person who will likely interview you.
• To look professional and consistent as part of the same job application.
• It sounds old-fashioned and impersonal.

How can you grab the reader’s attention in the first paragraph?

• It sounds old-fashioned and impersonal.
• How your skills and experience can help the company.
• Show enthusiasm, mention how you found the job, and why you’re interested in the company.
• To look professional and consistent as part of the same job application.

What should you focus on in the second paragraph of your cover letter?

• How your skills and experience can help the company.
• Ask for an interview and thank them for their time.
• It makes your experience real and memorable, especially if you include results.
• It helps you stand out and shows how you can add value to the employer.

Why shouldn’t you make the cover letter all about what you want?

• It sounds old-fashioned and impersonal.
• Because employers care about how you can help them, not just why you want the job.
• Show enthusiasm, mention how you found the job, and why you’re interested in the company.
• Use the name of the person who will likely interview you.