Writing an effective covering letter

A covering letter should typically accompany a CV when applying for job or work experience opportunities. It is
also good practice to submit a covering letter when making speculative applications. The role of the covering
letter is to complement the CV but also to make a clear case to an employer as to your motivation and suitability.
A covering letter should really be no longer than one page. It is imperative that it is targeted towards individual
employers. An employer reading a covering letter should be left with the impression that the candidate has
researched the opportunity and the organisation and has clearly demonstrated their suitability and motivation for
the post. A covering letter that is too general in content and does not reflect the requirements of the opportunity
(e.g. person specification and job description) is very unlikely to be successful.
There will be some duplication of the information presented in your CV; this should not be a cause for concern as
you will be utilising this information in a very different way i.e. as part of persuasive statement of suitability as
opposed to a document detailing your professional and academic history.
Typical structure
As with CVs, there is no perfect model or formula for the perfect covering letter but it must always be specific to
the opportunity and the employer. The structure outlined below is a guide only:
Opening paragraph
Formal introduction, referencing the opportunity.
Why this employer? Why this vacancy?
Employers want motivated people who have researched their company and understand the type of work and
projects that they undertake. It is also important to relate your own relevant experiences, skills and interests to
the opportunity.
Why are you the best candidate for the job?
This is your opportunity to draw the readers attention to your skills and experience. It is essential that you use
evidence which matches the person specification of the job role you are applying for. Think about your unique
selling points!
Closing paragraph
Use a positive statement to close the covering letter and indicate availability for interview if requested.
Style

Keep to one side of A4 and typically no more than 4 or 5 paragraphs

Address your letter to a named person, even if you have to contact the organisation to ask who deals with
recruitment.
Include your contact details and the employers (including their title).
Make sure your grammar, spelling and punctuation are perfect.
Always use a professional tone but do think about your audience and tailor your style accordingly e.g. an
advertising agency or PR firm may need a different style of communication to an investment bank.

7 Fall Way

Manchester
M15 9PS
Email: lauren.jones@palatinate.org
Tel: 01825 461688 Mobile: 0778128931
Mrs Lisa Bourne
Recruitment Manager
Robinson Brothers Ltd
Conway Science Park,
West Midlands
B72 0LP
th

Friday 26 March 2013

Dear Mrs Bourne,

In this paragraph the author has made a

conscious effort to articulate his interest
in the organisation but also his
commitment to a specific division.
Relevant work experience has been
effectively utilised and an appreciation of
the organisation demonstrated.

Re: Graduate Analytical Development Scientist

I would like to apply for the graduate trainee position within your organisation as advertised in New Scientist. I enclose my
CV for your consideration.
The opportunity to work for Robinson Brothers Ltd appeals to me because of the innovative nature of the organisation as
evidenced in your commitment to research and development but also your work in partnership with industry and academia. I
am particularly interested in the organisations commitment to cleaner chemistry and your involvement with the Green
Chemistry Centre for Industry. This combination of innovation and sustainability became very apparent to me when reading
about the companys decision to become Lower Tier in respect of the chemicals stored on site. I have a specific interest in
analytical chemistry, particularly in the context of pharmaceutical products, and consequently am drawn to your established
history in the development of intermediaries. Your involvement in the development of anti-depressants is appealing; mental
health is an issue that I have actively engaged with in my role as Student Welfare Officer. My degree has provided me with a
strong background in all areas of chemistry but I have developed a specific interest in organic and biological chemistry,
particularly catalysis, organometallic chemistry, reaction mechanisms and biological spectrometry. The laboratory aspect of
the programme has been critical in developing my interest in instrumentation and has confirmed my commitment to
applying analytical techniques to a commercial scientific environment.
In terms of my suitability to the post, I have developed a strong technical skill set through academic laboratory work and data
analysis. My internship experience at GSK, where I worked as part of a team ensuring the quality of active pharmaceutical
intermediaries, further developed my competence in applied analytical techniques such as HPLC and Mass Spectrometer. I
was also introduced to the ICH guidelines and GMP standards as part of the regulatory framework in which my work was
conducted. The internship experience effectively developed my understanding of the critical importance of analytical
chemistry to the manufacturing process. I am conscious that this role requires more than a strong technical background. My
wider experience in the education and retail sectors allied to my extra-curricular activities at Durham University have enabled
me to hone my competence in working with others, effective communication, problem solving and decision making. These
skills were particularly evident in my role as a Sales Advisor at Tesco where, in addition to being product aware and
commercially competitive, one of the key challenges was being able to communicate technical product information in an
accessible manner.
Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to taking the opportunity to talk with you further about this
excellent opportunity.
Yours sincerely,

Lauren Jones

In this paragraph the author has addressed his

suitability for the post. Both academic study and work
experience have been used to evidence technical
competency; broader based employment and extracurricular activities have been drawn upon in respect
of transferable skills such as teamwork and
communication.

20 August 2013Anthropologists: crafting your CV and writing an effective covering letter

3 Rossetti Way
Gosforth, NE2 12PR
Email: e.siddall@durham.ac.uk
Mobile: 0333435095

Kim Bosher,
Office Manager
Innovation Unit
49-51 East Road
London, N1 6AH
th

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Dear Mrs Bosher
Re: Trainee Project Co-ordinator and Researcher
I would like to apply for the 9 month trainee position that is part of your apprenticeship programme. I enclose my CV for your
consideration.
The Innovation Unit is an organisation that stands out to me because of the multi-disciplinary approach adopted and the
sheer diversity of work undertaken. I am particularly interested in the organisations engagement with the public and not-forprofit sectors and your commitment to delivering effective, sustainable solutions to social challenges. As an anthropology
undergraduate, I have taken particular interest in your work within health and social care and in particular the investigation
undertaken into childhood obesity in Southwark PCT. My final year dissertation is concerned with the relationship between
food advertising and childhood obesity and this reflects my broader academic interest in cross-cultural influences on health
and well being.
This particular opportunity strongly resonates with me because of the project focus incorporating applied research and
workshop facilitation. I am excited by the prospect of undertaking work that will have a positive impact, at a strategic and
operational level, within fields that I am passionate about. The focus on education relates strongly to my current experience:
my voluntary work with vulnerable young people has helped me to appreciate barriers to progression but also the potential
for investment and infrastructure to make a positive impact. I was fortunate enough to witness this first hand while working
as support worker for Norcare. My work as a tutor has helped me to recognise some of the cultural and environmental
barriers to learning that exist but also the impact that can be made through positive engagement.
With respect to the requirements of the post, I have developed both quantitative and qualitative research techniques
through academic study. Within my degree I have gained a strong understanding of rigorous approaches to data collection
and interpretation; I have also had the opportunity to utilise NVivo within the context of my research projects. I have
conducted surveys and focus groups in support of my dissertation research and have had the opportunity to interview health
practitioners within the local PCT. My analytical and problem solving skills were also evident during an internship with HSBC
where I was tasked with designing and administering a survey to evaluate staff views of corporate social responsibility.
During my time at Norcare I facilitated a number of workshops linked to personal skills and employability. Such activities
required effective planning and organisation but also creativity and innovation in order to secure buy-in from often
unmotivated young people. My role at Norcare, and as a tutor, demonstrates my ability to work effectively with a wide range
of people.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to taking the opportunity to talk with you further about this excellent
opportunity.
Yours sincerely,

Elizabeth Siddal

20 August 2013Anthropologists: crafting your CV and writing an effective covering letter