What Are You Applying For? - Paragraph One

Writing a Cover Letter

The letter you write to a company with the accompanying CV has a single purpose, which is to secure an interview. If you write a poor covering letter, it is unlikely your CV will ever be looked at! Bear this in mind at all times when writing your letter. You are the product, the employer is the customer and the letter is the sales literature. Your letter must be the best example of the work you are capable of producing. Take a respectful tone but also show an air of confidence in your writing style. Use phrases such as; I am confident, I believe rather than I hope, I think etc. Remember to format the letter correctly, check spelling and grammar.

What to Say in the Letter

What are you applying for? - Paragraph One

If it is a ‘speculative’ letter (i.e. there was no specific job ad), then explain that you are at Coventry University reading for a BEng, BSc or BA (Hons) degree in your given discipline. Mention your academic level and that it is a sandwich course. Explain that you are trying to secure a placement and give the dates of your availability. Be as flexible as possible with these dates, some employers will want you to start in June and others will be looking for a student to start in September. Finally tell them that your CV is included for their consideration.

If you are applying for a specific job that was advertised, you also need to explain what job you are applying for, and where you found it.

Why you are writing to this company specifically? - Paragraph Two

In this section you must show the reader of your letter why you have chosen to write to them. What you say here is your opportunity to get yourself noticed from all the other hopefuls. You must convey the reasons for your interest in working for that particular company. The more personalised your letter is, the more chance you have of a response.

You should carry out research into the company, to understand them, particularly in terms of what they do, recent media coverage and specific projects they are involved in. You should aim to discuss something that will demonstrate research, passion for what they do and understanding of their business. Avoid simply regurgitating what you have read elsewhere – adding your own thoughts and insights as to why you find something interesting/exciting/impressive will differentiate you from others. It is important that your letter does not sound generic, they will know if you have not made the effort!

You need to demonstrate you have made an informed choice, if you have attended a presentation or had discussions with their staff, you should mention it. This will show you have been proactive and are motivated. If you can discuss some of challenges facing their industry, you will demonstrate commercial awareness, this is a key skill that many students are criticised for lacking.

What are the key skills they look for in their staff? For employers of graduates you can often find this information from their graduate career brochures or their graduate recruitment web pages.

Why they should consider you for a placement? - Paragraph Three

Having now got an understanding of the company’s skill requirements you must decide how your skills match those required by them. Look at your CV, which of your experiences clearly demonstrate the skills they require. You must draw attention to these examples in this paragraph urging the reader to look at your CV more closely. In essence this paragraph is saying I know what skills you require and I am showing you that I have them. You can draw attention to any specific modules or projects that you have complete that are relevant to the post.

If you know the skills that they are looking for based on a SPECIFIC job, use this paragraph to point them to your CV, indicating the skills that are of primary importance for that job.

Ask for the interview - Paragraph Four

Well at least with a hint of subtlety. In the final paragraph it is important to sum up by showing your enthusiasm for the prospective job. State that you are confident that your skills and the experiences you have had make you a valued individual worthy of an interview. Finally ask for the interview by saying that you look forward to meeting personally to discuss things further. (BUT USE YOUR OWN WORDS - NOT THESE!)