SENDING COVER LETTERS BY EMAIL

When do you send a cover letter by email? When the employer asks you to do so. This could be specified in a job advert or on their website (if you are sending a general enquiry). The employer will make it clear whether you are to copy your resume and cover letter into the body of your email text or if you should send it as an attachment.

The email letter is very similar to the written cover letter but there are a few differences in how you should set it out.   ·     

Subject line – include your name, the position you are applying for and any reference number.

Heading – you don’t need to include your contact details here or the employer’s details. ·      Opening – begin with ‘Dear  ....................’ ·      The main part – same as the written letter – identify your key strengths and make sure they are a match to the employer’s needs.

The ending – end on a positive note as before. Sign off with ‘Yours sincerely’ or ‘Sincerely’. ·      Your contact details – under your name put your contact details. ·   

 Use the checklist above before pressing send!

          MISTAKES WITH COVER LETTERS  

Things you MUST avoid I’ve spent a lot of time searching through information to find out what are the most common mistakes people make when writing and sending cover letters. These mistakes have come straight from employers (it makes you wonder what kind of letters they have received!)

Failing to address your letter to a specific person, using ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ or ‘Dear Hiring Manager’. ·       

Telling the company what they can do for you rather than what you can do for the company. ·        Not checking for spelling/grammatical errors.

Using template letters and not taking the time and effort to write a specifically tailored letter. ·        Cover letter is too short – ‘Here is my resume.’ ·        Cover letter is too long – more than one page, unnecessary information.

Handwritten cover letter. ·        Repeating your resume instead of highlighting key skills. ·        Adding graphics, clip art or fancy fonts. ·

      Using brightly coloured paper instead of white or cream. ·        Not including all contact information. ·        Rambling on and telling the story of your career/life.

Too long winded and technical. ·        Forgetting to include resume and other promised documents. ·        Using anecdotes, gimmicks or unsuitable jokes. ·     

Forgetting to sign letter. ·        Not paying enough postage. ·        Using a small envelope which makes cover letter very creased. ·     

Not including information that employer has asked for. ·        Misrepresenting yourself – the employer will always find out. ·        Sending unsuitable photographs

CONCLUSION  

I hope this book helps you to write your perfect cover letter. It isn’t difficult and it will give you an opportunity to think about how many skills and qualities you already have. There are many online sites that have template letters. I suggest you look at these to give you ideas on what to write. You could also look at specific templates that refer to your ideal occupation as these will help you identify what skills and qualities are needed.

If you really don’t feel you can write a cover letter yourself there are companies that will do this for you. You will find many of these companies online.   The last thing I would like to say is ......................

GOOD LUCK GETTING YOUR PERFECT JOB! YOU CAN DO IT!