Meet Sara. She's in Year 10 at St Pat's
She is looking for a part-time job and she has written her Resume.
She's seen a job advertised that she would like to apply for but she needs to write a cover letter.
Sara is not really sure what a cover letter is, or how it is different from her Resume.
So let's help her figure it out.
There are some things that should never be in your cover letter. Here are some things to watch out for.
Typos / Mistakes
Always spellcheck your cover letter. It's even better to get someone else to read it and point out any mistakes or confusing things. Double-check everything in your cover letter. If you mention a company's name, make sure you spell it right.
Don't include your whole resume in your cover letter
Don't cut and paste your resume into your cover letter. Try to re-word the information in your resume, rather than just repeating it. Keep your cover letter short and let your resume tell the whole story.
Don't Use 'I' too much
Try not to over use phrases like ‘I believe’, ‘I have’ and ‘I am’. Remember, it’s not about you – it’s about how you can help the employer.
Don't mention any other job applications
You're probably applying for more than one job at a time. However, it’s best not to mention other job applications. Your letter should aim to convince the employer that you really want this job.
Writing a cover letter for resume can be a tricky thing if you're not exactly sure what to do and how to approach it. Check out our cover letter tips video to make sure you are doing what's important for you to get the job interview.