A covering letter sent with your CV allows you to be specific to the role. Use the letter to complement the information in your CV, not repeat it. By studying the job description you can highlight relevant skills and give brief examples of attributes asked for. Try to include something to make you stand out. A good covering letter will entice the reader to look further at the CV, where your statements will be backed up with full details

If you reach the interview stage, be prepared to talk about things you have included in your covering letter - be truthful and don't exaggerate.

Top Tips for your Covering Letter

DO

• Make the letter particular to the company
  Analyse the job advert for minimum and desirable requirements
• Highlight how you can meet these requirements
• Translate your skills and experience into benefits for the employer
• If responding to an advertised vacancy, refer to job title and reference number if applicable and say where you saw the advert
• Keep it brief - 2-3 paragraphs
• Use standard letter layout
• Keep to a formal style
• Use good quality white paper, to match your CV
• Word process the letter if your handwriting is less than perfect
• Include a phone number and e-mail in your contact details
• Find out who to address the letter to, by phoning up if necessary
• Post in an A4 envelope, to avoid folding
• Check your draft for facts and spelling
• Make sure you spell the company and addressee's name right
• Keep a copy
• End on a positive note

DON'T

• Say what the employer can do for you
• Address the letter to Sir or Madam