Cover Letter – Making of and Finished Cover Letter

This is my finished cover letter (click to enlarge). In this post I will go through each section and explain why I chose to write each section that way. I decided to address my cover letter to Paula Campbell of NI Screen.

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To begin I chose to present my contact details in the same way that I presented them in my CV so that it would be instantly recognizable as mine if the employer had already seen the CV and vice-versa.

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This layout of the employer details is the layout that most of the cover letters that I had researched had, as it works. Therefore I decided to do the same.

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For the opening paragraph it is recommended that you state what you are applying for and why you why you are applying, so I did just that.

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This is my ‘2nd paragraph’ where I talk about my animation career so far. I broke in into three paragraphs; Why I chose to do animation, How my University Career prepares me for the job and How my placement lite module has prepared me for working int the industry.

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To finish the cover letter I demonstrated my passion for the job, again stating how my skills prepare me for his job and I mention that I hope to have the opportunity to speak to them later (Interview).

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I am happy with the outcome of my cover letter. It has a layout that I am happy with and I believe that the content of the text best describes who I am and my skills that make me an ideal candidate for the job I am applying for.

Cover Letter Research – Cover Letter Examples

Before starting to make my cover letter I decided to look at some examples to see how others have approached it. In this post I will analyse how these different people have decided to make their cover letters.

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I like the layout of both of these cover letters, however I prefer the right one as it is simpler and is to the point, whereas the cover letter on the left has a lot written on it, too much. I also don’t like the use of bullet points on the left cover letter, for my showreel I will lay it out more like the cover letter on the right. The information is presented in a clearer way on the right cover letter, each paragraph has a purpose, whereas in the left cover letter there is a lot of information being covered in each paragraph and therefor it is unclear what each paragraph is for.

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Both of these cover letters will be useful as they are both for an animation job. Both of these cover letter have their contact details at the top, this is good, however, I do not like the layout that they have chosen. For my cover letter I will most likely present my contact details in the same way that I presented them on my CV. Also at the bottom of each CV they have listed what items are enclosed/attached to the cover letter, such as a CV or a recommendation letter. For my cover letter I will not need this as I will only have my CV enclosed, so there will be no confusion as to what it is. The layout of the text for both seems to be:

1st Paragraph: I am applying to…..because….

2nd Paragraph: My career make me qualified…..because…

3rd Paragraph: You should hire me…because…

I like this layout. It makes sense and has a strong narrative throughout. I think I may adopt this structure when writing my cover letter.

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These cover letters were great, they gave me a lot of ideas and I now have a clear path moving forward. Now I just need to make my cover letter.

Cover Letter Research – Cover Letter Tips

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For my cover letter research I also decided to look at the Prospectus website. This site had a cover letter section that goes over tips and advice on how to create a cover letter. Since cover letters are specific to each company I thought that these general cover letter tips would be useful for getting a general idea of what my cover letter should be.

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Do I need a Cover Letter?:

A cover letter should always accompany your CV unless you are told otherwise. It allows you to personalize an application and highlight key areas of your CV in more depth.

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How do I write a cover letter?:

Keep your cover letter brief, while making sure it emphasizes your suitability for the job. It can be broken down into the following sections:

• First paragraph – the opening statement should set out why you are writing the letter. Begin by stating the position you’re applying for, where you saw it advertised and when you are available to start.

• Middle paragraphs – you should use the next two or three paragraphs to explain: what attracted you to this vacancy and type of work; why you’re interested in working for the company; and what you can offer to the organisation. Demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the job description.

• Last paragraph – use the closing paragraph to indicate your desire for a personal interview, while mentioning any unavailable dates. Finish by thanking the employer and say how you are looking forward to receiving a response.

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How should I address a cover letter?:

Always try and address your cover letter directly to the person who will be reading it. Bear in mind that you are more likely to receive a reply if you send it to the right person.

Advertised positions will usually include a contact name, but if not, it is worth taking the time to find out who the letter should be addressed to.

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11 rules of successful cover letters:

• Be concise and to the point – keep it to one side of A4

• Use the same quality plain white paper you used to print your CV

• Include a named contact whenever possible to show you have sent it to them personally

• Relate your skills to the job advert and make a case for why the employer should want to meet with you

• Proofread – always double-check your spelling and grammar without relying on a computer spellcheck program

• Target the company by tailoring your cover letter for each application

• Page layout should be easy on the eye, set out with the reader in mind

• Check to make sure you’ve got the company name and other key details right

• Read it and cut out any unnecessary words or sentences

• If sending electronically, put the text in the body of the email rather than as an attachment to avoid it being detected by spam filters

• Stick to your own words, avoiding jargon and formal clichés.

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How do I apply for a job abroad?:

Many overseas job offers are dependent on the applicant already being legally allowed to work and live in the country in question.

If you’re planning on working overseas, you’ll need to go through the correct visa procedures and obtain any work permits that are applicable to the country you wish to work in. For more details, see working abroad.

Most countries will recognize UK qualifications, but you should check to see if there are any comparisons you might need to refer to in your cover letter.

Do some research when writing your cover letter and CV, to ensure that you include everything required by employers in the region of the world where you’d like to work.

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7 of the worst cover letter mistakes:

• Failing to address the letter to a named individual at the company

• Repeating what is written in your CV

• Forgetting to proofread your letter and sending it full of mistakes

• Spilling over onto a second page

• Sharing unnecessary personal details and giving rambling explanations

• Concentrating too much on your qualifications rather than your skills and experience

• Failing to target your letter to the specific job you’re applying for.

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The points made in this article are very useful especially the ’11 rules of successful cover letters’ and the ‘7 of the worst cover letter mistakes’ sections. These sections covered some points that I had not considered like ‘If sending electronically, put the text in the body of the email rather than as an attachment to avoid it being detected by spam filters’, these points will be invaluable when writing my cover letter.