How to write the perfect cover letter

Additional Reading
The 10 Second CV Test
Producing a targeted covering letter
Understanding the job and career market
How to handle most interview questions
Interview preperation tips
At what point does it become lying?
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No matter how good your CV is, your cover letter is always going to be the first piece of information that a recruiter sees about you.  Anything you write in your cover letter will help the recruiter to form their first impression of you.
Below we offer our top 10 tips to writing the perfect cover letter:

1. Do not mass produce your cover letter.  Target it for each role that you apply for.
2. If the advertisement gives a reference number, use it in your letter so that it is clear which role you are applying for.
3. Keep the letter short and simple with a punchy message.
4. Keep the sales acronym 'AIDA' in mind when composing your letter.  Gain the readers Attention by introducing yourself effectively.  Keep their Interest by showing that you have the skills / experience to fulfil the role.  Ensure that the content is relevant to the role and the recruiter will Desire to meet with you.  Make sure that your contact details are clear in order for the recruiter to Action a response to you.
5. Provide exactly what is requested in the advertisement.  If you are asked to supply both your CV and a three page outline of a successful project you managed, then do so.
6. The letter may pass through a number of different hands in the recruitment chain.  Do not over use technical jargon that may not be understood by people who administer the initial stages of the process.
7. Always proof read your letter and watch out for errors that a spell checker may not recognise.
8. If your application is speculative, find out the name of the person you need to forward your CV to and address your letter accordingly.
9. If replying to an advertisement, use it as the format that your letter will follow.

Remember that your cover letter is primarily a sales letter so concentrate on what you can do for the company.

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