Cover me, I'm going in! Six covering letter tips

1. Keep it short: recruiters often spend very little time reading each application. Your letter should be a few short paragraphs in length. Avoid long letters like the plague. They will bore the recruiter and may get your application binned.

2. Keep in simple: state which role you are applying for and where you saw the ad, say you’re interested, explain why you’re suitable, close. That’s it. Leave the life story out. Your CV is attached so you don’t need to rehash it on the letter.

3. Get the detail right: ensure the letter is set out correctly, ensure the recruiters name and title and the company name are all spelt right. Get the job title right. Simple mistakes give the recruiter an excuse to file your application with the rejects.

4. Check it: ensure that there aren’t any spelling or formatting errors. Don’t sabotage yourself!

5. Include a cover letter on job board applications: some job-board ads allow you to simply upload a CV without a covering letter. This is quick but very lazy. If you’re given the option to write a covering letter then do so.

6.Leave it out! Avoid clichés, acronyms and abbreviations that are not universally recognisable – particularly company-specific ones from your existing company, wacky typefaces and flashy design and colour (I am writing for professional job-seekers here outside of the creative industries).

Here’s a sample letter for a Middle East Sales Director role:

Dear X,

Re: Sales Director Middle East role, Advertised on Job Board X on X.

I am pleased to attach my CV for your kind consideration for the above role.

I am currently with X Company as Head of Middle East Sales - with full P&L responsibility for this 40 million USD business. I possess over ten years’ experience in the Telecoms sector and provide end-to-end telecom solutions to blue-chip clients such as X and Y across the Middle East. I lead a 20 strong team of sales and support staff. I speak Arabic, English and French.

In summary, I am an executive with broad senior-level Telecoms sales experience, very strong leadership abilities and excellent communication skills. I feel that I am now ready to move to a Sales Director role with your organization.

I’d be delighted to meet with you to discuss my candidature in detail.

Yours sincerely,

I hope this is useful. DJMRO is a new concept in career advice for telecoms, technology and mining executives. Senior job-seekers: looking for a new role in Telecoms, Technology or Mining? Contact us to discuss how we can help you find a new challenge.

DJMRO offers senior, professional CV-writing services as well as two unique careers packages for executive job-seekers; Individually-tailored CV Marketing Campaigns and DJMRO Career Boost. See my Linkedin profile and www.djmro.com for more info.

Recruiters: contact us if you would like to discuss your hiring requirements. There are no fees for you to pay if you recruit a DJMRO candidate.