Cover letter samples and writing advice Perfect your CV Rise to the top of the job pile with a professionally written CV and a free CV review from The CV Centre. Equally as important as CVs, cover letters give you the chance to stand out from the crowd. To impress employers, keep letters brief, relevant and positive What is a cover letter? A cover letter accompanies a CV (and/or completed application form). What should I write in a cover letter? Unless you are asked to apply by letter of application only, a cover letter should be brief and drive home the key aspects of why you are a good candidate. A cover letter should include a heading to make it clear which job you're applying for and, following the introductory paragraph, it can take the form of bullet points or short statements. How do I start and end a cover letter? Make it clear which job you're referring to by using a heading and an opening line such as, 'In response to your advertisement on the Prospects website for the role of..., I write to enclose my CV'.
Cover Letters – The Careers Service – Oxford University What to say The content and style is up to you, but you will need a solid structure to have the best chance of success. Here are some guidelines: Introduction Introduce yourself.Explain why you are writing.If you are responding to an advert, say where you saw it. Why this job? Explain why you’re interested in the job and the organisation.Target the letter at the organisation. Why me? Use the remainder to explain why you are well-suited to the position.Refer to relevant skills, experience and knowledge that you have.Match what you say to the requirements given in the job advertisement.If a job specification has “essential” criteria, your letter may become lengthier than otherwise – as you should indicate how you meet each criterionTry to avoid using exactly the same phrases which appear on your CV. Conclusion Top tips for a successful covering letter Don’t exceed one page. Academic cover letters Many of the above tips also apply to cover letters for research/academic jobs.