A cover letter is basically a letter you send to an employer along with your CV detailing a few important points about your resume.

• You might use a covering letter to introduce yourself and explain which post you are applying for and why you are applying to the post.
• You might choose to discuss your qualifications, both professional and academic and relevant experience or work background.
• You should answer any questions which were stated in the job application details/ classified ad.
• State that you are enclosing your CV/resume and any other relevant and required documents. (Drivers licence/passport).
• You should be positive and request an interview in closing, thanking the employer for their time and consideration.

In short, a cover letter simply allows an employer to briefly examine your most relevant skills, experience and qualifications without looking into your CV. Often a decision is made before the resume is even examined because of a cover letter. Obviously you should be well qualified for the job to which you are applying and you should suggest reasons why you would be more suited to the position than other similar applicants.

The writing of a good covering letter is often what separates two likely candidates from getting the position. Make sure your covering letter is the best it can be an always use a  spell checker and get someone to check it over for grammatical errors as these small details are always picked up on and getting it right will guarantee a much better chance for landing the  interview.

Learn the number one secret to landing your dream job with Jimmy Sweeney’s Amazing Covering Letter Creator.

It isn’t easy being rejected from job applications and wondering where the rent or mortgage money is going to come from but there are up sides to unemployment and believe it or not some people choose a period of unemployment to give them the necessary space to decide what to do next.

It is important to realise that unemployment is not going to last forever and in the mean time why not take some time to enjoy this enforced vacation or consider the things which you would never have the time or the  inclination to do when working  in a full time job. Often, especially for people who have never been unemployed, the time is simply too much and they can find it incredibly stressful just having so much time and not knowing what to do with it.

Use this time productively and you will see that there are things which can be done to improve your situation. Consider your outgoings and arrange things so as you are spending as little money as you can. For example maybe you can change your phone contract and transfer a credit card balance to reduce the interest. Make a list each day of the productive steps you can take in finding work, looking for part time work, rearranging your outgoings, and taking the necessary valuable exercise you need to keep your mental and physical health in shape. When you have done everything on your list take some time to relax and unwind. Not having a job can mean spending more quality time with friends, relatives and loved ones so make sure you find all the positive activities you can do while you have the free time and then do them!

Depending on how you see your circumstances will often reflect how you deal with them. Becoming unemployed can be either a difficulty , a hardship or a challenge depending on your point of view. It can even be an opportunity. Did you really like your job? Perhaps this is an opportunity in disguise to move towards something better. Work can be very stressful with long working hours, time away from family and lengthy commutes. Perhaps this is the shift in lifestyle you have always secretly wanted!

Unemployment might be the opportunity for the change in direction in your life which you have been waiting for! However you view your unemployment, if you sincerely wish to improve your circumstances you need to make the most out of your time which you will spend depending on your long term goals and attitudes towards employment, self employment, work, money and life in general. If you do not have goals it is a good time to start setting them since you are the only person who is completely in charge of how you spend your time. Without goals your time and energy is less directed, if at all. This becomes much more evident once you have experienced some unemployment and in general, those who succeed in life are those who consistently set goals and achieve them.

If you are applying to jobs make sure you are making the most of your resume and applications by writing a winning covering letter. See here for more details on how to write a great covering letter.

If you have got to interview stage it means you have been successful with your covering letter and CV and have made it through to the ‘next stage’! Make a good impression at the interview and you could land the job! Make sure you make preparations so you have a successful interview:

• Research the company: If possible ring the company and ask for an information pack. Look online to find out more about them through their website. Doing this vital step will prepare you for any awkward questions at interview and shows you have an interest in the company. It also might give you ideas for questions you could ask at interview. Once you have learned more about the company you are better prepared to face a manager at the interview stage and you will be more confident. Find out what type of organisation they are, what they sell or do and what your role is likely to involve.
• Find out about the interviewers: Who will be interviewing you and what is their position in the company? How many people will be interviewing you? Depending on what level of the company your interviewer is in might give you clues as to the type of interview you will have. If it is going to be your immediate manger (should you get the position), it is likely to be a more in depth interview than if it was say, the personnel manager. Find out if you will be doing a test, presentation or whether it will be just a straight forward interview. This will give you an idea of how long the interview will be. If you have a disability of some kind, contact the company before hand to consider any relevant preparations.
• Plan your journey to the interview the day before. Consider any time constraints which might delay you such as adverse traffic conditions or late trains or buses. Have a plan B should anything happen to delay you. Perhaps take a trip to the place of interview to see how long it will take. Should you be late it means an immediate bad first impression.
• Make sure you look the part. This will depend on the job to which you are applying but make sure you are clean and neat and plan the day before so you have no last minute troubles to worry you.
• Prepare your CV, references, job application and any other relevant information to take with you. You might be asked to bring your passport or driving licence and counterpart with you depending on the role you are applying for. Make sure you have everything before you leave.
• Prepare for the questions which might be asked. Think about what they might ask you the day before and consider this while studying up on the company. Don’t just blurt out a ‘stock’ answer but consider what they ask you.

Make sure you arrive in plenty of time. Aim to be around 10 -15 minutes early and give plenty of time for parking and any problems which might arise. You want to arrive in a confident and calm state ready for the interview so plan accordingly to avoid problems. You might be nervous and this is natural. Control your breathing  to help slow your heart rate by taking slow, deep breaths if you find yourself a little anxious.

When looking for work it is important to decide what kind of work will be best suited to you. People rarely excel in a job which they hate, so think about what skills and experience you have and in what setting you are best suited to work. What experience do you have in a work setting? Are you a sociable person or more subdued? Just because you have always worked in one particular area doesn’t mean you have to continue in the same direction forever. Take an honest inventory of the following areas of your life:

• Your employment skills and experience: What qualifications have you got? Can you work as part of a team? Are you a good timekeeper? Can you motivate others?
• Your personal and social skills: Have you done any voluntary work? Do you work well in a team? Have you ever cared for a family member?

Make sure you look at all areas of your life. You may have been struggling in a job for years which you hated while looking after an elderly relative. The skills you developed here could be used in a new role as a carer or similar role. Do you have a hobby and could the skills you developed here be used or ‘sold’ in an appropriate role. Make sure you look at yourself in the best possible light here and take stock of everything you have to offer. Often people are down on themselves about things others would consider a great quality or a useful life skill.

Depending on the expediency of your income requirements, you could take some time doing this so as to get a good idea of what you really want out of a job. Consider a part time position and further training if appropriate. The job market is continually changing with people retraining much later in their lives than was previously accepted.

Getting a job is a full time job! You must make a habit out of your job search with the ultimate goal of being offered a position whether you want a job  full or part time. Your strategy starts with your job search and you can find jobs in many ways:

• Through the Jobcentre  Plus
• On the internet
• Through newspapers
• Through recruitment centres
• In journals and magazines
• Through friends, relatives and personal contacts

Make a habit out of looking in at least three of these areas on a weekly basis. The more time you put into your job search the better your results will be. You should be applying to at least 5 jobs a week depending on your requirements. Take time to make your CV and write a good covering letter. Prepare yourself for the interview and make sure you have the appropriate suit and tie.

Many jobs are not advertised and simply filled through word of mouth. Take advantage of this and let everyone you know that you want a job and get them looking for you. By doing this you are multiplying your efforts. Follow up on every lead and apply to all the jobs you are interested in. Make sure your covering letter and CV is appropriate to the specific role you are applying for and display your skills and experience accordingly. Always find the name of the person who will be examining your CV and address your letter to him/her personally. Taking the extra effort will be more likely to land you the interview than simply blasting out lots of impersonal half hearted applications to many anonymous companies.

Finally, know your worth. You are a unique individual with a unique set of skills and experiences. Big yourself up and demand the best for yourself in work and in life and you will succeed!

A CV or curriculum vitae also know as a resume is a short list of facts about you relating to your employment, past and present, your skills, abilities and experience. It is usually presented to an employer when seeking employment so you can be assessed for your suitability for the position to which you are applying. It is therefore essentially a sales letter promoting you and your skills so that you can secure work!

There are hundreds of people either seeking first time employment, wishing to change their present job for a better one, or simply wanting to escape unemployment and better their lives. When you are applying to a new position it is these people you are competing with, and especially today in the struggling economy there are always plenty of people applying for any single job. This is why a CV is so important when seeking to secure employment to showcase your particular skills and unique experience.

• A CV should always be typed and presented to the best possible standards you can achieve.
• It should usually be no more than two sides of A4
• It should concisely present all your relevant work history, skills and experience emphasizing your achievements, strengths and successes.
• It should tell your potential employer why they should hire you over the other applicants.
• It should be positive.

A CV can be useful in many different circumstances:

• You can use your CV to apply to companies to see if they have any vacancies.
• It can be used to list your jobs and skills as a reminder to yourself of names, dates and contact numbers
• It is useful for phone applications when you must remember dates and numbers over the phone
• You can use it at interviews to remind you of certain information and to leave with the interviewer if they do not already have a copy.
• Recruitment agencies usually ask for your CV when you register with them.
• It can be used to remind you of what you have done

There is no set format in which to present your CV but a CV should at the very least contain the following information:

• Your name and personal details: Telephone number, address, email.
• A personal profile: This is a short punchy statement at the beginning of your CV to sell yourself and your skills and experience.
• Your career history: Most recent work first followed by older employment. This should include dates and responsibilities.
• A list of achievements relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Qualifications and training: include the most recent first including qualification obtained in recent employment (health and safety, first aid etc.).
• Interests: This can include hobbies and interests relevant to the position you are applying for. For example if you run a club this shows organisation skills. You can also include other things not related to your application.
• Other information: If you choose you can list other information which will support your application. This can be useful if you have gaps in your work history as you can explain this. Or if you are applying for a position which is new to you and you have not done this type of work before, you can explain the reason for your application.
• References: Ideally you should include two references from people who have employed you in the past; one of these being your most recent employer. Otherwise you could ask a friend or relative who has known you for some time to provide a reference. You should ask these people beforehand whether they would agree to provide a reference should the employer ask.

You should always send a covering letter with a CV to a new employer or agency. A covering letter simply lets the employer know your reason for applying to the position and your skills and experience in the role. To learn the most important step to covering letter success check out Jimmy Sweeney’s Cover Letter Creator.

Your Name

Your address

Postcode

Tel: 1234567890

Mobile: 0987654321

Email:

Personal Details:

Date of birth :

Licences: Full driving licence

National insurance:

Own vehicle:

Employment History:

Education/Qualifications:

Training:

Other Experience:

Hobbies and interests:

Your Name

Your Address

Your Telephone Number

Your Email Address

A covering letter should always be added to your CV or resume even if not requested. A covering letter is a few short paragraphs explaining why you are suitable for the position which you are applying for and why you are applying for it. Today in the competitive job market there are hundreds of applicants applying for the same jobs. A covering letter gives you the edge and shows your potential employer that you are willing to go the extra mile in order to stand above the crowd of applicants vying for the desired position.
Often it can be the covering letter which determines the applicant/s who will get to the interview stage and it can mean the difference between your CV landing in the bin or on your employers desk. Of course it will depend on the personality of each individual interviewer as to their style of selection preferences, however, many managers agree that a good covering letter is often the determining factor as to whether the applicant gets an interview.
Simply put a covering letter is a succinct few paragraphs explaining the purpose of the enclosed CV. It should be a way to wow your future company with your appropriate skills and experience and explain why you are suited to the position. Assuming you are qualified for the job you are applying for, a good covering letter will give you the edge over many applicants who only include their CV in an application. Many applicants simply do not know how to apply for a job and even a good CV might not make the selection process if it is not presented and formatted as well as its competitors.
A covering letter should cover points such as relevant experience, connections with the company if any, and suitability for the position applied for. Any relevant expertise or work history can also be pointed out and this should be done in a few paragraphs or at the very most no more than a page. You can also talk about what you understand about the company, why you are suited to work there and what you can bring to the position.
To learn the secrets of writing a professional covering letter and for samples of the the most successful covering letters check out this site.

Writing a good covering letter can often be the deciding factor in a job application. Managers agree that when choosing from CV’s it often comes down the covering letter as to whether the applicant is granted an interview. Although human resource managers and recruiters will all have their very own specific requirements and preferences, a covering letter quickly lets them know the important information regarding your application. This addition to a CV gives the interviewer an insight into the applicant. Have they learned about the company? What specific position are they applying for and why? Have they they specified their chosen position? Is the letter addressed to anyone or is it a generic application form?

The main purpose of a covering letter is to introduce yourself and sell yourself. Assuming you are qualified for the position you are applying for, and you do this well enough, you are more likely to be at the top of the list for an interview over those who haven’t bothered going the extra mile. When making a covering letter stick to the following points:

• Make it short – no more than a page a preferably only two paragraphs. You should get your main points across without wittering on and it should be a punchy letter.
• Make it professional – no jokes or self depreciating humour. This is a business letter so keep it business like.
• Sell yourself – this means always putting yourself in the best possible light even if you doubt your qualifications or experience.
• Only mention relevant experience or qualifications which is also included on your resume/CV.
• Always spell check your covering letter or get someone to proof read it. Poor spelling or grammar looks very bad on a job application.
• Apply for a specific position. Know your worth and never just apply for ‘any job going’ as this says you have no direction or self worth. State which position you are applying for and why. This gives you chance to demonstrate that you know something about the company and what you can do for them.
• End the letter with a definite follow up date and time rather than a purposeless ‘I hope to hear from you’ type ending. Also say how you will follow up. This lets them know you are serious about the position and that you intend on following up.

Remember your goal when writing a covering letter is to get an interview so keep this in mind when you write it. Recruiters tend to discard applications with poorly written cover letters. Aim to wow your potential employer with a professionally written cover letter and get the advantage over other applicants who don’t take the necessary time to do this vital step in securing employment.

For more great information on writing a professional covering letter follow this link.

Welcome to What’s a cover letter. com. If you’re tired of not getting anywhere with your job search and have a pile of rejection slips then it’s time you learned the value of a well written covering letter. You should ALWAYS include a covering letter with your CV to state why your CV is there and to draw attention to certain relevant points on your CV. Always find the name of the person who will be looking at your CV and write to them personally rather than sending a generic format of job application. To learn more about writing a great covering letter click this link.

For more great information and to create a customized covering letter in minutes using the automated templates click the box below: