How to structure a covering letter
- Your letter must not exceed one page.
- Keep your letter simple and ensure your paragraphs and sentences are short and concise.
- Use bullet points to highlight key achievements and accountabilities.
- Ensure your achievements and accountabilities address the key selection criteria.
- Avoid using phrases that give the impression you are not positive.
- Don't oversell yourself and try to reflect balanced thinking.
- Review and redraft your letter until you are confident with it.
- Check for spelling mistakes and ensure it is correctly addressed.
- Use good quality stationary and prepare your letter on a word package. Ensure it is printed on a good quality printer.
- Your introduction should be your strongest selling point, referring to your greatest achievement.
- Ask for a personal meeting as opposed to an interview as your concluding statement.
Here are some tips
- Don't use colour stationary, it may give the impression you are overselling.
- Address the letter to the person responsible for the recruiting assignment. If the advertisement does not state their name, ring and find out.
- Your strongest selling points must reflect the key selection criteria
- Don't mention you are unemployed or have been made redundant. It may reduce your chances of being interviewed.
- Don't state the obvious when writing your letter: e.g. please find my resume enclosed or I am applying for the position of..
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Sample Covering Letter
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Dear
Re: Human Resources Officer ( e-mail subject )
I have 10 years broad experience in human resources of which the last 5 years have been in an employee relations role, predominantly in the manufacturing and retail industries.
My accomplishments and abilities include the following:
- Developed and implemented a national personnel policy and procedure manual including health and safety and worker's compensation manuals.
- Managed the occupational health and safety and worker's compensation functions nationally.
- Providing service and advice on day-to-day employee relations, policy and procedures to employees and line management.
- Developed and implemented a National Federal Agreement and prepared a draft Head Office Administrative Employees Agreement.
- Experienced in targeted selection techniques, recruitment and selection.
- Experienced in HR systems including excel and word.
- I hold a Bachelor of Business in Personnel and Industrial Relations.
- I also wish to highlight my skills in assessing training needs and developing self-paced competency based training.
My personal qualities consist of working as an effective team member and as an internal consultant. I work well under pressure, possess good organizational skills, and have the capacity to work on many projects simultaneously. I also have well developed written and interpersonal skills.
I look forward to hearing from you, and to the opportunity to meet personally.
Yours sincerely,
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