A cover letter is a document that accompanies your CV when applying for jobs. It serves as a personal introduction and supports your application. A cover letter for FE is essential as it allows you to explain to an employer why you are the best candidate for the job by emphasising appropriate skills and experience.
You must write your cover letter with the FE position you are applying for in mind.
Cover letters should enhance your CV but not duplicate it. The aim of a cover letter and CV together is to stimulate the employer’s appetite and score you as a significant contender for a position in Further Education.
The general agreement among recruiters regarding the length of a cover letter is the shorter the better. Cover letters should not exceed one A4 page.
If you are sending the cover letter electronically, put the text in the body of the email rather than as an attachment, to prevent it from being detected by spam filters.
A cover letter is a helpful opportunity to raise an employer’s attention. Your key strengths and enthusiasm for wanting to work in an FE organisation should be highlighted in the letter.
You can also make an appointment with your university’s careers and employability service to access further help when writing your cover letter if you are a student or a recent graduate. You will be able to seek support from trained advisers.
Brief, basic and clear
An impressive cover letter should be no more than a page, containing approximately three or four clear, and focused, paragraphs.
Your cover letter should always be addressed to a named person and include a precise reference to the role for which you are applying in the first sentence, including where you found it advertised.
As presentation is important, you will need to format your cover letter properly. Formatting should be clear using the same font and design as your CV.
Potential employers will not spend time looking through applications during the initial stages. To help your application stand out, you need to make sure your application is easy to read and understand.
When emailing potential employers, add your cover letter as part of the main body of the message. This is quicker for recruiters to obtain and demonstrates that you have taken the time to personalise your cover letter for the role, rather than using a generic one.
Accentuate significant experience
Your CV will communicate your relevant training and experience already, so it is important to only accentuate the key lessons you have learnt. These are your unique selling points. Be positive about what you have to offer and clearly outline how your skills and experience meet those requested in the job description.
Demonstrate why you are the right person for the role.
Provide examples that show when and how you have used your skills and expertise.
Order the main points by skillset to help organise the information appropriately.
An impressive cover letter should focus on selling yourself as an individual equipped with skills and expertise and highly relevant to the job which you are applying for. The key to making your application stand out is to make it memorable.
Highlight your skills, strengths and achievements. Let the employer know in a clear and concise manner how you can contribute, and become an asset to the organisation.
While your cover letter is a great opener for potential employers, you still need to provide a compelling reason for them to open your CV.
A cover letter is a great chance to provide a brief overview of some of your most notable skills. Recruiters can then find the details and experience of said skills when they open your CV.
Make sure your CV flows well from the cover letter. While you should not repeat the same information in your CV and cover letter, you also do not want your CV and cover letter to look like they are for two completely different applicants.
Adapt your cover letter
It should be noted that most employers are likely to disregard any application that appears generic or irrelevant to the role.
Each time you apply for a position you need to rewrite your cover letter to target the company. Sending out a universal cover letter for all applications will not reap positive results and potential employers can easily detect your lack of time and effort.
Job adverts will be full of skills, knowledge and experience that the FE positions require. Furthermore, there will probably be several keywords in the advert that you can transition into your cover letter.
Utilising these key phrases within your cover letter, shows FE recruiters that you have not only read and understood the job description, but also have the ideal skills for what they are looking for, this will give them plenty of encouragement to delve into your CV and learn more about you.
Ensure that you have met all criteria as advertised demonstrate that you have done your research into the organisation to which you are applying and make it clear that you value the position.
Articulation
Your cover letter should flow with a positive and confident tone. Demonstrate your intellect, experience, capabilities and motivation while utilizing subject appropriate terms and language. Your cover letter is your opportunity to showcase your friendly, enthusiastic and professional personality which makes you the ideal fit for FE roles. Be personable but never informal.
End your cover letter with a call to action. Tell potential employers that you are available for interview and invite a response from the recruiter.
Double-check your cover letter before sending it, ensuring all information is correct.
Understand what a Cover Letter is
A cover letter is a document that accompanies your CV when applying for jobs.
Be brief, basic and clear
An impressive cover letter should be no more than a page, containing approximately three or four clear, and focused, paragraphs.
Accentuate significant experience
Clearly outline how your skills and experience meet those requested in the job description.
Adaption
Each time you apply for a position, you must rewrite your cover letter to target the company.
Articulation
Demonstrate your intellect, experience, capabilities and motivation while utilizing subject appropriate terms and language.
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