When you’re ready to apply for work experience, you’ll usually need to send in a cover letter and CV. Now you might be thinking you’ve got nothing to shout about.
But employers know you’re young, and there are lots of skills you’ve picked up from school, clubs, or part-time work that make you a real catch.
So let’s shine a light on your talents!
If you don’t already know, a cover letter is a formal letter that tells the company you’re applying to who you are and why you’re interested in working for them. The goal is to show the person reading your letter that you’re the right person for the job, so that they check out your CV and then invite you to an interview.
There are a few things you can do to really make your cover letter stand out:
Find out as much as you can about the company and role as a first step. That way, you can also see if they’re a good fit for you. It works both ways!
Personalizing shows you’ve taken extra time to research–and this is a sign to employers that you care! So include the name of the person who’s reviewing your application, and add some info you came across in your research that made you excited about applying.
Tell them why you want to work for their company – another chance to show off your research here!
Explain why you’re a good fit for the company and job. Here, you can talk about your skills and any work or volunteer experience that make you ready for the job.
Instead of using complicated words, keep it simple and make each sentence as possible.
Stick to one page (about 3-4 paragraphs), and only add in info that shows you’re right for this job (no need to overshare!).
Double-check your spelling and grammar and get someone else to triple-check it for you.
At the end of the day, this is about you finding the right place to build your career, so you want to be real.