How to Write a CV and a Cover Letter

A good CV is essential when looking for work, especially when there are high volumes of candidates applying for the same job, but what should it contain?
There is no model template, and each sector may require greater emphasis on certain sections of your CV, such as qualifications or work experience, but in general, your CV should be neat and clear enough for a recruiter to scan and understand it quickly. Additionally, it should be easy to appraise your key skills and work experience to determine whether you’re appropriate for the role.
Not sure where to start? Here are some basic rules you should follow when writing a CV.

What information should I include on my CV?

Personal Details: It may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to include their name, email, contact phone number and address. Make sure these are clearly marked at the top of your CV.
Personal Statement: Although optional, many jobseekers choose to include a personal statement in their CV as it’s a good opportunity to tell an employer about your suitability for the job.
Keep it short and sweet and be sure to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the role and the company.

Work Experience: This section includes any work experience that you have in the field you are applying for. When listing these work experiences include your job title, time in the post, responsibilities and the name of your organisation. Remember to list your most recent role first.
Achievements: List relevant skills and achievementsfrom previous jobs, giving clear examples of how you would apply these to the new role.
Education: List formal qualifications and any training and development undertaken, either independently or during previous periods of employment.
Hobbies and Interests: Only include if the skills or teamwork concerned are relevant for the job. There is no point listing that you’re sociable or that you enjoy going to the cinema for the sake of it.
Any extra information, such as reasons for a career change or reasons for gaps in career history should be added as required.

How to present your CV

Remember, your CV is a reflection of yourself, so it’s important that it’s well laid out and looks professional.

• Keep it short enough to read quickly and ideally no more than two sides of A4
• Choose a clear, professional font to ensure that your CV can be easily read
• Be clearly laid out in a logical order, with sufficient spacing and clear section headings (work experience, education)
• Avoid typing mistakes at all costs. A simple spell check is not enough: ask someone else to proof read your finished CV
• Order your experience and education into reverse chronological order to highlight your most recent experience and achievements

Once you’re happy with how your CV looks, make sure you’re happy with the content. And highlight that you’re the right match for the job by outlining:

• Specific skills you have to offer the employer
• Experience you have in the specific field
• Appropriate personal qualities for the role
• An understanding of the job requirements.

Cover letters. As much as they require more work, cover letters are a great opportunity to cover qualifications we can’t fully explain in our resumes. In addition, they help personalize job applicants to enable them to come across more as real people to potential employers. If you throw together a cover letter in the hopes that nobody will actually read it, you might be missing a chance to land the job. To take advantage of a cover letter's full potential, follow these steps below. You’ll find advice on formatting, reviewing, and researching cover letters. You will also find links to three free samples, which you can copy and adapt to your own personal cover letter.

1. Include a salutation

  There are a number of cover letters to choose from. And, the greeting you choose will depend on how much information you have about the company.

• If you know the name of the hiring manager, your salutation should be something like "Dear [insert name]" followed by either a comma or a colon. Make sure to address the manager formally using their proper title (Mr., Ms., Dr., etc.).
• If you don't know the name of the hiring manager, consider addressing your letter "Dear Hiring Manager," "Dear Recruiting Team," or "Dear [insert company name] Team."
• As a last resort, address the letter "To whom it may concern," though we recommend avoiding this salutation, as it could come across as a template letter.

2. Write the first paragraph of your letter

  This is where you will mention the job for which you're applying and how you found the job listing. It only needs to be 1 to 2 sentences in length.

3. Write the body paragraphs of your letter

 Most cover letters will only have 1 or 2 body paragraphs. You don't want to overwhelm the hiring manager or use up a great deal of his or her time. Try to answer the following questions in your body paragraphs:

• Why am I a qualified candidate for this position?
• What work experience do I have that fits the job requirements in the company's listing?
• Why do I want to work for this company specifically?

4. Write the final paragraph of your letter

 This will be where you wrap up and discuss how you will proceed with the application. Consider including the following:

• Reiterate in one sentence why you feel you're a perfect fit for the position.
• Discuss what you'll do next. If you plan on following up with the hiring manager in a week or two, include a specific date. Otherwise, just say that you look forward to interviewing for the position and discussing your qualifications further.
• Provide your contact information. Include your email address and your phone number so the hiring manager can get in touch with you.
• Mention that your resume or references are attached (if applicable).
• Thank the person for their time.

5. End your cover letter with a respectful closing statement

  "Best" or "Sincerely" are both classic options. Also, since you won't be able to sign your email, finish the letter by typing your full name.

6. Add a letterhead at the top of the letter

 Your letterhead should include your full name, address, telephone number, and email address. Some guidelines to follow when creating your letterhead:

• Your name should be in bold 14- or 16-point font.
• Your address and other contact information should be in normal 12-point font.
• The font of your letterhead does not need to be Arial or Times New Roman, like the rest of your letter, but it should be professional looking and easy to read. The most important thing to remember is to include up-to-date information so that you make it easy for the employer to contact you.
• You may want to include an extra line under the letterhead to create visual appeal and to separate the letterhead from the rest of the letter.

7. Write the recipient’s name, address, and the date below the letterhead

  It doesn't matter whether you put the date first or last, or how many blank lines you include between them, as long as it looks professional.

• From here on out, use 12-point Arial or Times New Roman throughout the entire letter, set your margins to one inch, and use single spacing. Be sure your font is black, and if you're printing your letter out, use standard-sized paper (8 1/2” by 11”).

8. Address the recipient

  Be sure to refer to the recipient by his or her proper title (Mrs., Mr., Dr., etc.). If you’re not sure who the recipient is, write, “To Whom It May Concern:” or “Dear Sir or Madam”; however, it is always best to address a cover letter to a real person to make it look like you’re not sending form letters.

9. State your purpose in the first paragraph

 Tell the employer why you are writing to them in two or three sentences. State the position for which you are applying (or the one you would like to have should it become available).

• You don't necessarily need to include how you became aware of the position unless it was through a mutual contact or recruiting program, in which case you should make the most of the connection.
• If you are writing a letter of interest (also known as a prospecting or inquiry letter) in which you are asking about positions that might be available, specify why you are interested in working for the employer.

10. Outline your qualifications in the middle paragraph(s)

  Make sure to match them to the requirements of the position. If you are writing to inquire about open positions, tell the employer how you can contribute to their bottom line, not what you want to get out of the deal. To do this, use what you have researched about the employer's background and history.

• Make your qualifications jump out at the reader by researching the company to which you are applying for a job and tailoring your letter accordingly. This will also be useful if you get an interview. Some questions to keep in mind as you write are
  • What is the employer's mission? What do they promote as the one thing that sets them apart from their competitors?
  • What kind of customer base does the employer have? Who is their target audience?
  • What is the company's history? Who founded it? How has the business evolved? What are the main highlights of the company's performance over the past few years?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

11. Include a positive statement or question in the final paragraph that will motivate the employer to contact you

 Make this closing paragraph between two to four sentences. Direct the employer to your enclosed resume and make sure you specify that you're available for an interview. Finish off by thanking the recruiter for their time and consideration, and welcome them to get in touch with you to continue the conversation. 

12. Write an appropriate closing

 It’s a good idea to thank the reader for his or her time. After that, write “Sincerely,” “Respectfully,” or “Regards,” leave several spaces, and print your name. 

13. Add your signature

  If you will be submitting your cover letter digitally, it’s a good idea to scan and add your signature, write it in with a digital writing pad, or make a digital signature stamp with appropriate software. 

 14. Make a notation of the enclosures

 If you enclose something, such as a resume, with a letter, you should indicate that the letter contains enclosures by making the notation “Enclosure” or “Enclosures” at the bottom of the letter.