Get Your Job Application right!

A cover letter is an essential link between the job spec and your CV
The link however needs explaining and the explanation gives the opportunity to enhance those sections of your CV that the particular recruiter in question will find most relevant. Why? – because he/she has bothered to include them in a job ad or job spec. So don't spam! Make each letter individual; the chances of selection increase every time you make a connection with a reader.

More interest will be generated from a short informative letter rather than a long dissertation. A one-page letter with absolute maximum of three or four paragraphs and preferably two that are organised to demonstrate how your skill set, experience and style match the needs specified is what is required.

What the recruiter is searching for is whether a candidate is worth a second look, so just concentrate on the juiciest relevant bits of your CV ideally described in different words to the ones actually in your CV.

The cover letter also gives opportunity for getting personality across, particularly if sent by email where less formality is the norm. So take advantage, use the words and phrases that you would use in everyday life and if the job spec / ad asks anything about style then use the opportunity to describe yourself but again in no more than a few sentences.

A cover letter by itself will never win you a new job but could very easily prevent you from being considered for one.