How to write a covering letter

â- Research the business you want to work for and learn about what they do**.** Then you can use your CV to explain clearly what experience and expertise you have that make you suitable for the particular job they're advertising.

â- Make it clear what you have to offer that would benefit the company**.** It's fine to talk about why you want the job, but there has to be something in it for the employer too.

â- Keep it clear, concise and to the point. Try not to go over one side of A4: if you do, you are writing an essay instead.

â- Use your own words**,** not formal, long-winded clichés.

â- Action verbs make any letter sound better.

â- Say when you are available to start work, and try to be as flexible as possible.

â- If you are applying to an organisation but don't know the name of the person you are writing to, try to find out.

â- Check and then double-check your spelling and grammar. And remember that spell checkers only pick up incorrect spelling, they can't tell if you have used the wrong word, like "their" instead of "there".

â- If you send your application by eâ€'mail, put your covering letter in the body of the eâ€'mail. If you attach it with nothing in the eâ€'mail body it might be identified as spam.