A cover letter is a marketing tool that must accompany every CV you send to a prospective employer. 

You should ensure that your cover letter conveys the image that you want to leave with the reader. It should be professional rather than gimmicky.

It will allow you to:

• Introduce yourself, and establish rapport.
• Enhance your CV by emphasising some significant items.
• Summarise or state your job objective, tailored to the specific company or position.

The Important Basics:

1. Get to the point of your letter in the first paragraph
2. The first sentences must have some punch. Tell the reader why you are writing, clearly and professionally. Don’t tell the reader how wonderful they or their company is.
3. The second paragraph allows you to build on the first. If you are responding to an advertisement, closely match the points you make in this paragraph to the criteria advertised. Use bullet points – they minimise the effort needed to extract information from your letter. Your focus should be on your skills and experience with lesser emphasis on your personal attributes.
4. The final paragraph should provide a sound close and the action you will take. If you say you will call in a week then make a note in your diary to make sure you do.
5. Avoid mentioning anything about salary or benefits – this may immediately eliminate you from consideration. Sell yourself first and compensation will take its normal course.
6. Keep your letter short, strong and to the point.
7. Don’t say what you want from the company but what you can contribute to the company.
8. Check and re-check for grammar and spelling. Make sure there are no mistakes.