DO
1. Be succinct and to the point, your letter should be one side of an A4 page.
2. Use the same high quality paper used to print your CV.
3. Address your letter to a named person wherever possible for maximum impact.
4. Tailor your letter to the job advert and include the skills they are looking for.
5. Get someone else to proof read your letter, don’t rely on the computer spellcheck. 6. Use a professional formal letter layout and make full use of the space available. 7. Ensure you have the company name, address and details correct.
8. Read your letter out loud and delete any unnecessary or irrelevant
9. If posting on hard copy leave space at the bottom and sign your name in pen
10. Show your enthusiasm for the company and the vacancy
DON’T
1. Don’t repeat what is written in your CV.
2. Don’t spill over on to a second page – you’re writing too much.
3. Don’t share unnecessary personal details.
4. Don’t focus solely on your qualifications and forget about your experiences and transferable skills.
5. Don’t include any spelling or grammar mistakes.
6. Don’t address it ‘To whom it may concern’ – use a named person
or ‘Dear Sir/Madam’
7. Don’t send the same cover letter to every employer.
8. Don’t forget to include your correct and complete address, including postcode. 9. Don’t send a letter (or CV) with any marks or stains on it.
10. Don’t fold your documents, use an A4 envelope where possible.
For more cover letter tips, see our help sheet