How to write a good cover letter

General

• Always tailor your covering letter to the specific role.
• Show you have researched the role, the organisation and the industry.
• Outline why you are attracted to the specific opportunity.
• Highlight your unique selling points.

Style

• Use one page of A4 paper and four or five paragraphs.
• Address your letter to a named person. In this case the Programme Director of Eagles, Sally Roberts.
• Include your contact details and the employer’s (including their title).
• Make sure your grammar and spelling are perfect.
• Use a professional tone.
• Link your writing style to the industry, e.g. covering letters for a job as a waitress will be less formal than those for an internship at a bank

Content – a suggested structure

• Paragraph 1: a positive, formal introduction outlining how you heard about the opportunity
• Paragraph 2: outline why you are interested in the role and the organisation
• Demonstrate research. Say how the opportunity fits into your career plans
• Paragraph 3 and 4:  highlight your key skills and experiences and why these make you a suitable candidate
• Paragraph 5: end positively and confirm that you will be available for interview

10 common mistakes in covering letters:

1. Not sending one!
2. Not referring to the position you are applying to
3. Dwelling on negatives
4. Poor spelling or grammar
5. Irrelevant information
6. Overwritten
7. Badly presented
8. Too long
9. Difficult to read
10. Inappropriate style