How to Write a Covering Letter

Covering letters are important when applying for a job. Below is how to write a covering letter for resume and what a covering letter should consist. There are many books on the subject of how to write an effective covering letter and most educational establishments offer courses of how to write a covering letter for resume (or CV) for seniors. However, there are still many misconceptions of what a covering letter should consist. While a covering letter should be tailored to specific jobs in a specific industry, there are certain rules of how to write a covering letter for resume or CV that remain true across the board.

What is a covering letter?

Knowing what a covering letter is helps you decide how to write a covering letter. A covering letter is an important tool for your job applicant and a window towards a successful career, if you know how to write one. If you don't know how to write a covering letter, it may be a career killer. Sending a bad covering letter may kill your chance of getting a job interview instantly.

A covering letter is a guide to your resume, hence you hear people say covering letter for resume, instead of just covering letter. As a guide to your resume, the covering letter is the first page that your potential employer would look at before they read your resume. Some employers don't even look at the resume, they just read the covering letter that comes with it. The covering letter is not attached as an addendum to your documents so knowing how to write a covering letter is vitally important.

How to write an effective covering letter

Read about what a covering letter should consist and ensure that you clearly connect your skills to the job you are applying for. Before you write a covering letter, you should list all the skill sets you possess and how they can be applied to the job and the workplace.

For example, your ability to research, synthesize, and assimilate information to produce logical deductions are skills which many employers are looking for. These skills can be great assets to the workplace and the company you are applying for.

There are also skills you acquire from extra curricular activities that can be transferred to the job. All skills are good but not all skills you have are relevant. Start with the skills that are most relevant for the job and don't waste time on the skills that are not. In your covering letter, you need to give the employer reasons to interview you and hire you with plenty of evidence. The evidence should show that you understand and can function effectively in the role applied.

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