English Cover Letter
In most cases, the cover letter is your first contact with potential
employers. Use this opportunity to make a strong and convincing impression,
otherwise you may not get the attention you want.
Before writing, ask yourself why you are the right person for the job.
- Which of your qualities might be essential for the job?
- What contributions can you make to the company?
In your cover letter, emphasise why you are the ideal candidate for the
position.
Structure and Content
- Introduction
Mention where you found out about the job offer and show interest in the
position.
- Details
Give reasons for your application: Why are you the ideal candidate? What
relevant qualifications, experiences do you have? (Important: refer to the
requirements given in the job description.)
- Conclusion
Demonstrate your interest in the position once more.
Important Tenses
Note
Even if there are hundreds of experiences that you wish to emphasise on, keep
your cover letter short (no longer than 1 page). Employers usually have to read
lots of applications and usually cannot afford spending all day reading lengthy
cover letters.
When writing a cover letter, keep to following rules:
- Write an interesting cover letter that impresses the employer.
- Emphasise on qualifications and experiences that are relevant for the job.
Explain why you are the right person for the job.
- Avoid negative statements (e.g. I have no / very view experiences ...).
Use a nice letterhead for your cover letter. Check your word processor for
templates on formal letters.
Structure
Word Lists on Cover Letters
Changed: 31st July 2006 13:31
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter
Sender's Address in a Cover Letter
Use a nice letterhead for your cover letter. Check your word processor for
templates on formal letters.
Example:
You can also write your address in the top left corner (American English) or
top right corner (British English), but don't write your name in this case. In
English, the sender's name is only given in the signature.
see: → date
Changed: 31st July 2006 13:31
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter/layout?sender
Date in a Cover Letter
British English
Write: 30 October 2003
Position: on the right, one line below the sender's address
(in letters with a ready-printed sender's address, the date can also be put in
the top left corner)
Example with address on the right:
Example with address in the letterhead:
American English
Write: October 30, 2003
Position: top left corner (sometimes centred) or
left-justified one line below the letterhead
Example with address on the left:
Remarks on the Date
In British English the day is usually put before the month. If you wish, you
can add the ending of the ordinal number. The preposition of
before the month is usually dropped. You can put a comma before the year, but
this is not common anymore in British English.
Example: 5(th) (of) October(,) 2004
In American English the month is usually put before the day. If you wish, you
can put the definite article before the day. It is common to write a comma
before the year.
Example: October (the) 5(th), 2004
You can also write the date by using numbers only. The most common forms are:
Example: 5/10/04 or 5-10-04
Note, however, that 5/10/04 usually means 5 October 2004 in British English
and May 10, 2004 in American English. To avoid any possibility of confusion, you
should spell out the month or use the abbreviation.
Changed: 31st July 2006 13:31
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter/layout?date
Recipient's Address in a Cover Letter
Position: on the left
Ms / Miss / Mrs / Mr / Dr ...
company
street
place
area code
COUNTRY (in capital letters)
In American English, the area code is usually at the same level as the place,
separated by a comma.
Sometimes the name of the company is put in the first line and the name of the
addressee in the second, preceded by attn
(attention) or FAO (for the attention of), e.g.
attn Mr Johnny Welsh. You are on the safe side if you copy the address exactly
in the way it is given in the job application.
British English
In British English, the recipient's address starts on the same line as the
date or one line below the date.
Example:
American English
In American English, the recipient's address starts two lines below the
sender's address (or two lines below the date if the sender's address isn't
placed in the top left corner).
Example:
Changed: 31st July 2006 13:31
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter/layout?recipient
Salutation in a Cover Letter
If you know the person's name:
When applying for a job, it is very important to know the name of the
addressee and address him/her personally.
Dear Ms / Miss / Mrs / Mr / Dr + Nachname
Example: Dear Mr Miller
Dear first name + surname
Example: Dear Chris Miller
If you don't know the person's name:
If despite all efforts you cannot find out the addressee's name, the only
possibility is to use one of the following salutations:
salutation |
when to use |
Dear Sir or Madam |
esp. in British English |
Ladies and Gentlemen |
esp. in American English |
To whom it may concern |
esp. in American English |
Punctuation after the Salutation
In British English, don't use any punctuation mark or use a comma.
Example: Dear Mr Miller or Dear Mr Miller,
In American English, use a colon:
Example: Dear Mr. Miller:
Ms, Miss or Mrs?
- Mrs – to address a married woman
- Miss – to address an unmarried woman (rarely used now)
- Ms – to address a woman whose marital status you don't know; also used to
address an unmarried woman
Note: The abrreviations Mr, Mrs etc. are usually written
without full stops (Mr) in British English and with full stops (Mr.) in
American English.
Changed: 31st July 2006 13:31
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter/layout?salutation
Subject Line in a Cover Letter
Cover letters don't usually contain a subject line.
Changed: 31st July 2006 13:31
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter/layout?subject
Body of a Cover Letter
Capitalise the first word of the text (even if the salutation ends with a
comma). The text is left-justified and a blank line is put after each paragraph.
It is not common to indent the first line of a paragraph.
Structure and Content
- Introduction
Mention where you found out about the job offer and show interest in the
position.
- Details
Give reasons for your application: Why are you the ideal candidate? What
relevant qualifications, experiences do you have? (Important: refer to the
requirement given in the job description.)
- Conclusion
Demonstrate your interest in the position once more.
See word lists:
Changed: 31st July 2006 13:31
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter/layout?body
Cover Letter: Word List - Introduction
- Introduction
- I was interested to see your advertisement for (position) in (paper) /
on (site).
- I noticed with interest your advertisement for (position) in (paper) /
on (site)
- I am applying for the position of (position), which was advertised
(date) in (paper).
- (Name) advised / informed me of a (position) that is available at your
company.
- I was referred to you by (name), who informed me of a (position) that is
available at your company.
- (Name) informed me that you are / your company is / (name of the
company) is looking for someone with (skills).
- (Name) suggested I contact you regarding the position of (position).
- Perhaps I am the person you seek in your advertisement in today's /
yesterday's (paper).
- When I read your advertisement for (position) in (paper) / on (site), I
could not help noticing how well your requirements align with my experience
/ education / background / skills / career interests / ...
- The position seems to fit very well with my experience / education /
background / skills / career interests / ...
- I am very interested in applying for the position (of ...)
- My experience / education / background / skills / ... make me an ideal
candidate for the position.
- I have the experiences / skills / ... you desire (in your
advertisement).
- From my enclosed CV / Resume you will find that my experiences / skills
/ ... meet the requirements you have outlined for the position.
- I believe that my enclosed CV / resume will demonstrate that I have the
experiences / skills / ... you seek.
- While my enclosed CV / resume provides a good overview of my experiences
/ skills / ..., I have also listed some specific skills that meet your
requirements for the position.
Changed: 31st July 2006 13:31
URL:
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter/vocabulary-intro
Cover Letter: Word List - Details
Refer to the requirement given in the job description and demonstrate that
you meet the requirements. Emphasise on experiences that are relevant for the
job.
- Details
- According to your advertisement, your position requires (skills). These
skills I have developed during ... (experience).
- I understand the position requires (skills). I ... (details why you meet
the requirements).
- I recently graduated from (university) with a degree in (field).
- Since 2002 / For 2 years I have been working for (company).
- Following my training as a (job title), I spent (time) working for
(company).
- As (current job) for (company), I have developed my skills and
experience as (job title)
- Prior to my current position, I was working for (company), where I ...
(jobs, tasks, skills).
- Throughout my career I have acquired a thorough knowledge of ...
- I have solid experience in ...
- I have more than ... years of ... experience.
- My experiences / skills / ... will provide your company with a highly
productive (job title).
- I have always had a strong interest in ...
- I am very competent in ...
- I very much enjoy both ... and ...
- My experience in (field) have convinced me that (future position) is a
career option I would like to explore.
- My high degree of motivation has been appreciated by my previous
employers.
- Thanks to my high degree of motivation I was quickly promoted to
positions of greater responsibility.
- The enclosed CV / resume elaborates on the details of my skills and
experience.
Changed: 31st July 2006 13:31
URL:
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter/vocabulary-details
Cover Letter: Word List - Conclusion
- Conclusion
- I would like very much to talk with you concerning a position at your
company / (name of the company).
- I am eager to talk with you about the contribution I could make to your
firm.
- I would appreciate the chance to meet with you to discuss how I could be
a vital part of your company.
- I am confident that I can perform the job effectively, and I am excited
about the idea of working for your firm.
- I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these and other
qualifications with you.
- If you would like to schedule an interview or otherwise discuss my
interest in this position, please call me at the number listed above.
- If you are interested, please contact me at (number).
- You may reach me at the above phone number or email address.
- I am sure my services would be useful to you.
- I will call you in a few days / next week / in early July / ... to
discuss an interview.
- Should you have any questions before that time, feel free to call me at
the number listed above / to contact me via the email address listed above.
- Should you wish to contact me before then, you may / can reach me via
phone (number) or via email (email address).
- I look forward to our meeting.
- I look forward to meeting you.
- I look forward to talking with you.
- I look forward to hearing from you soon.
- I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the ways my skills may
best serve your company.
- Thank you for your time and consideration.
- Your consideration is greatly appreciated.
- Thanking you most sincerely for your time and consideration.
Changed: 31st July 2006 13:31
URL:
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter/vocabulary-end
Cover Letter: Word List - Conjunctions
- Conjunctions
- but / still / however
- especially / mainly / particularly
- before
- as / because / since
- so that
- then / after that
- that's why / so
- either ... or
- after all
- after
- of course
- though / although / even though
- or
- as soon as
- as long as
- finally / eventually
- in spite of / even so / all the same
- perhaps ...
- above all
- neither ... nor
- because
- first of all
- for example / for instance
Changed: 31st July 2006 13:31
URL:
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter/vocabulary-fillwords
Greeting in a Cover Letter
The typical ending of a cover letter is
sincerely. In emails you can also write:
- Regards
- Kind regards
- Best wishes
Note: If you end the salutation with a comma or colon, use a
comma after the greeting. If you didn't punctuate the salutation, don't
punctuate the greeting.
Position: Write the greeting two lines below the last
paragraph and left-justify it.
Leave 4 blank lines after the greeting (space for the signature) and write
the sender's name below that space.
Example:
Changed: 31st July 2006 13:31
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter/layout?greeting
Enclosure in a Cover Letter
If you wish to enclose documents, you can either list all enclosed documents
separately or just write the word 'Enclosure'
below the signature.
Example:
Example:
Changed: 31st July 2006 13:31
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter/layout?attachment