Page 30 - TITBITS FOR JOBSEEKERS

TitBit 12

YOUR COVERING LETTER

Your covering letter (cover letter, motivation letter, suitability letter, application letter)

is about one-page document that gives a summary for your resume or CV. A good cover

letter is simple, concise, convincing, and formal. It is not your autobiography or a story
book. It says who you are, your qualifications, your skills and experiences, the job or

position you apply for, why you apply for it and why you think you are the best for the
job. It is a document that should excite and encourage the reader to look forward to

reading your resume. A beautifully written cover letter is a good marketing tool for
making first impression. It is your first image maker. It should persuade the employer,

catch his interest, and make him believe in your competencies. It is a document an

employer should read and want to know more about you.

The first thing to bear in mind when writing a cover letter is its purpose. Are you writing
to target a specific advertised opening (as in application letter), or as an unsolicited

application to express your interest in an organization where you are not sure of any
current opening. In each case, you should craft your cover letter in such an irresistible

manner that leaves the reader with the feeling that you are very competent, and exactly

what is needed for the job.

But as simple as it looks, cover letters can damage your chances of getting hired. To

avoid this, there are few things to bear in mind when writing a cover letter:

The Opening: Tell the employer ‘who you are’, ‘why you are writing’ and ‘how you came
to know about the vacancy’! Give a brief introduction of yourself in the ‘who are you’

part. You do not need details, just mention the basic facts about you. In the second ‘why
you are writing’ part, say the position you are applying for, and location (especially when

it is written like that in the job advert). Then, do not fail to mention how or where you

heard about the organization or the job.

Your Suitability: Mention the reasons why the employer should see you as viable and

the best person for the job. Start with a statement that gives a summary of how your

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