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An extremely valuable experience.  I now have a CV and cover letters which I am confident will make an impact.  However, over and above that the process has enabled me to identify the valuable 'transferable skills' that I have picked up along the way which could make me attractive to a wider range of employers than I would previously have considered." Paul Durral, Kent, UK.

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Thank you so much.  After a complete lack of interest I had an interview within a week of receiving the new CV - & now have a new job & career path.  Thanks again.  Stephen Meltip, Glos, UK>

I was just a little cynical about all this, but it worked!  I had sent numerous CVs with no response at all, now I have had several telephone calls in just a couple of days.  Terrance Stevens, Manchester, UK

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Cover Letter Content

Cover Letter content is enormously important.

This letter is your chance to differentiate yourself for a specific position, to demonstrate, immediately, why you are the right person for the job, to ensure that your CV is read with, perhaps, a more sympathetic, or interested, eye.

However, as noted elsewhere, many recruiters will completely ignore a cover letter and go directly to your resume or CV.  To increase the chance that it will be read – keep it short, lots of white space, easy to read and one page maximum.  The following elements may be included:

  • Central header, in bold – position title, reference number, where advertisement was seen.

  • 1st paragraph – third party referral if you have one, very powerful.

Why you are writing, confirm you are suitable.

  • 2nd paragraph, reconfirm specific experience, followed by (up to) six bullet points defining skills in specific, required areas of expertise.

  • 3rd paragraph – thank the reader for their time and consideration; state how/where you may be contacted 24/7; ask for the interview!

There are, of course, characteristics that you should avoid, that will ensure that your cover letter will not be read:

  • Longer than one page

  • Full of type with little white space.

  • Letters that look like every other letter e.g. from Word template

  • Letters without CV

  • Letters that are supposedly humorous – don’t bother trying!

Whilst many advisors state that you should inform the reader that you will ring in a few days time, we suggest that you treat such advice with caution; several HR people we have spoken to detest this approach.

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