This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Bournemouth chapter.
The pressure to start looking for placements getting to you? No need to worry, Her Campus has put together the ultimate guide for the perfect cover letter! Things will have never been easier for you to get the placement of your dreams.
Know the company
It sounds silly but this is really important! Make sure you know the ins and outs of the company you are applying to – a little bit of research can go a long way. Find out what the company is all about and more importantly, what the company will gain from taking you on. Pay attention to the skills required in the job description and write the cover letter according to that position in particular. Why would you make the perfect candidate?
Make a good first impression
Make that extra effort to find out who will be reading your letter. As easy as it is to write ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ this can look a little lazy. Ring the company and find out who is in charge of recruitment and direct the letter to them. Not only is this polite, it shows you are keen and proactive! It’s a win/win situation.
Don’t waffle
Don’t write your life story in your cover letter, get straight to the point! I would say about three or four paragraphs is enough. Tell them why they will benefit from employing you, and if you are applying for a magazine, why not give them a few ideas of articles they could feature in the magazine. This will show that you really know your stuff and that you are passionate.
Check for spelling mistakes… and check again!
Don’t rely on spell check to correct all your spelling mistakes. Get your friends and family to read it through so that it is perfect! There would be nothing worse than a typo in the first line… you want to make a good first impression so this is really crucial.
I hope this helps, good luck!