1. Personal statement
A personal statement is a section of your cover letter which should provide details about yourself and your qualifications for the job you’re applying for. Ideally, it should be no more than two or three sentences in length, and should summarise why you’d be a great fit for the role. This could include details such as your relevant experience, education and skills.
2. Contact information
Make sure you’ve included all of your contact details in your cover letter; i.e., email address, telephone number and a mailing address if necessary. This will make it easier for the recruiter to contact you if they consider you a good fit for the job.
3. Resume/CV
Your resume should be included in your cover letter, as it provides a more comprehensive summary of your qualifications and experience. It’s also an opportunity to showcase your writing skills and demonstrate that you have an eye for detail.
4. References
Including references in your cover letter is a great way to back up your claims and give the recruiter an idea of what kind of person you are. Make sure that these references have been vetted, as this can be the difference between being hired for the job or not.
5. Grammar & spelling check
No matter how good your content is, if there are any spelling or grammar mistakes in it then you could be overlooked by recruiters. Therefore, before submitting your cover letter, make sure it’s been proofread and edited so that no errors slip through the cracks.
6. Customization:
It's important to customize your cover letter for each job application. This means adapting the content to reflect what makes you the ideal candidate for that particular role. Doing this will show that you’ve put thought into why you're applying for the job and have tailored your submission accordingly.
7. Professional format
Your cover letter should always be written in a professional manner, as this shows attention to detail and respect for the recruiter. Make sure that the layout is neat and tidy, with a clear structure to make it easy to read.
8. Appropriate salutation & signature
At the start of your cover letter, you should include an appropriate salutation (e.g. ‘Dear Mr./Ms. Smith’) followed by your name and contact information at the end in the form of a signature block (e.g., 'Sincerely').
9. Tailoring to the job description
Make sure that you have taken into account all aspects of the job description when writing your cover letter, as this will demonstrate why you're a great fit for it and give recruiters an indication that you’ve done your research.
10. Closing statement/call-to-action
End your cover letter with a polite and professional closing statement, followed by a call-to-action (e.g., ‘I look forward to hearing from you soon’). This will give the recruiter an indication that you'd like to be contacted for an interview or further discussion about the position.