Cover Letters 1: Letter Content 

Cover letters accompany a CV or resume as part of a job application.They create the first impression of you as a prospective employee. Therefore, your cover letter should be well presented and professional.

Here is a list of points you should include: 

• Say that you would like to apply
• Say where you found out about the job
• Say why you would like the job
• Say why you are qualified to do the job
• Say you can provide more information if necessary
• Say when you would be available for an interview  

http://www.strath.ac.uk/careers/apply/yourcv/writingeffectivecvs/#d.en.66183

A cover letter should make a good first impression - some employers won't even read the CV if the cover letter is weak - so be sure to think not only of the content but also the final presentation:

• Use a business letter format
• Write no more than one side of A4: usually 3 to 4 paragraphs
• Address it to a named person and include the correct job title. If you don't have this information, telephone the organisation's Personnel Department or the Receptionist who should be able to help you
• Always double check your spelling and grammar. If you have to begin with "Dear Sir/Madam" be sure to end with "Yours faithfully"; if you write to a named individual use "Yours sincerely".
• Use a positive closure e.g. "I look forward to discussing my application with you in the near future." or "I would be pleased to expand on any details of my application with you at an interview".
• Any special circumstances not covered in your CV may be mentioned, if you wish, in the body of the letter e.g. a health condition, special need, deferred entry, etc.

   Top-10 cover letter tips

1. Do your homework. Learn what you can about the company or organization you’re applying to, so you can tailor your cover letter and really show the employer that you could be a good fit. 

       2 .Follow instructions. Be sure to include any information that was requested in the job posting. If the posting asks for the amount of hours a week you are available to work,           be sure to answer that question in the cover letter

       3. Don’t just restate your résumé. Use your letter as an opportunity to make a great first impression. Most employers read the cover letter first, so you want to catch their               attention by describing your impressive skills. That way, they are more likely to read your full résumé.

      4.  Personalize your letter. When possible, address your cover letter to a specific person. Use their name and title, and make sure the spelling of the name is correct.

      5.  Tailor your letter to the job. Make sure the skills and experience you highlight in your cover letter are clearly connected to the job you’re applying for.

      6.  Presentation counts. Use a font that’s easy to read, like 12-point Times New Roman or Arial. Using 8.5 x 11-inch white paper is usually a smart choice.

      7.  Break it down. Make your cover letter easier to read by breaking the text down into short paragraphs.

      8.   Use a professional tone. Be sure to use professional and respectful language when writing your cover letter.

      9.  Be brief. Your cover letter should be no more than one page long—the best strategy is to keep it short and to the point.

     10.  Proofread. Review your cover letter several times; don’t just rely on spell-check. Ask someone else to proofread it as well.

Look here for an example of a cover letter.

Look here for a template for a cover letter.

Links

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/business/getthatjob/unit3coverletter/page1.shtml

http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Cover-Letter

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