Cover Letters

Cover Letters What is it? A cover letter is a letter that you send to accompany your CV when you apply for a job. This is your chance to introduce yourself and explain what position you're applying for, why you want the job and what you have to offer. Always making sure you match what the employer is looking for. 10 Top Tips 1 Show the company you have done some good research about them. 2. Provide evidence that you can fulfil what is requested in the job specification. 3 Address the letter to a specific person (if possible) and sign it Yours Sincerely 4 Make it targeted to the job role and the company Follow the format of a business letter, never use slang or abbreviations 6 Don't rewrite your CV make it different Make it clear, concise and to the point If emailed, put your covering letter in the body of the email Use your cover letter as an opportunity to tell the employer what you are going to bring to them. 10 Make sure you have included all your up to date contact details & spell check! National Careers Service Helping you take the next step National Careers Service Provides careers advice and information on a wide range of jobs, training course resources and funding. nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk (Free phone) 0800 100 900 Job Centre Plus Provides a wide range of information and services, like help with finding a job, benefits, loans and grants. www.jobseekers.direct.gov.uk jobcentreplus 0800 055 6688 Gov.uk The new place to find government services and n GOV.UK information. www.gov.uk Newspapers Many national and local newspapers online have dedicated websites for jobs and careers advice. (Free phone) 0800 842 842 jobs. find your careex Technology Careers Education Careers icould icould Need inspiration for your career? icould includes 1000 films of personal career stories, across all occupations. www.icould.com Your local council website may have Employment Support / Training and Jobs Find out where in your local area you can receive Information, Advice and Guidance for face to face support with your Career. Information, Advice and Guidance Case Study Steve is a housing association resident who got support from a Circle Employment Advisor Steve says.... "My advisor was very supportive. I would never have thought I would have found employment this soon. My advisor gave very valuable guidance in how to write covering letters and preparing my CV to high standard. My advisor would keep in close contact with me and constantly encouraging and helping me to job search through internet and phone calls. I am very grateful for all his support." After hundreds of unsuccessful attempts to find employment Steve was in a state of disappointment, despair and feeling extremely demotivated. Steve was advised to seek advice as his own housing association were offering employment support. Our Employment Outreach advisor worked with Steve to create a new supportive partnership. This resulted in a turnaround which boosted Steve's confidence and gave him a new sense of enthusiasm. With these relationships in place, an action plan was created to support Steve into work. With his family and advisor behind him, Steve was hired as a Domestic Gas Engineer with a reputable organisation. You'RE HIRED Extra Think of this basic Cover Letter layout to help you structure your letters. Beginning – lead with why you're interested in the job Middle – explain what makes you a strong candidate (personal characteristics, relevant experience, achievements and skills). End – ask for an interview. Give your contact details, including your email address and phone number and thank your reader for their consideration. Circle Enhancing Life Chances What Circle is doing...? Circle has been building these career info sheets to support people who may be looking at getting back to work. Make sure you also watch the video on help with cover letters! You can also contact your housing association to see what Employment Support they can offer you.