CV Templates & Cover Letters
HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER
You should always include a cover letter with your application even if the employer doesn’t ask you for one. Why? Well, it’s a fantastic way to add information that doesn’t fit into a CV. It will also help to give your application a bit more ‘personality’.
When it comes to cover letters, most employers look for the following:
Tailored skills from the job description
Well written and formatted content
Further details from information in your CV (but NOT a direct copy)
The ‘value’ you would bring to the organisation. In other words, why should we hire you?
Perfect spelling & grammar (there is no excuse for misspelling as a simple spell check should eliminate this)
A reflection of your personality
Top Cover Letter Tips
Get The Balance Right
There is a fine line between being confident and being arrogant. At the same time, you have to showcase your skill and experience. For example, saying “Although I don’t have vast experience as a leader, I have led teams in the absence of supervisors”, won’t impress anyone. It is better to say “I have led teams for 10 years in various phases in my organisation and gained [skill X] during each occasion.” Stick to the facts surrounding your achievements. Don’t’ be tempted to show off in your cover letter but this can come across as arrogant which is a real turn-off for employers.
Show Evidence Of Your Abilities
Pick at least 3 of the qualities mentioned in the job application and briefly refer to them in your cover letter; they should already be listed in your CV. It’s always best to use hard data in terms of facts and figures when necessary. For example, “During my financial executive role in Cork, I was involved in banking contracts ranging from €40 million to €150 million” is better than “I was a financial executive in Cork.”
Discuss The Company
Research the company then mention the aspects of what it does that impresses you the most. If you love its innovation, give an example of how it is leading the field in this department.
Keep It Short
There is no need to go beyond a single A4 page because unless the application is for a managerial/executive position, the recruiter won’t go past page one anyway. Your cover letter should consist of the highlights of your career to date and should be brief. You shouldn’t have more than three paragraphs and each one should get straight to the point.
Send As A PDF
Every computer can open a PDF file without the need for conversion. The last thing you want is to send your cover letter in a file that needs to be converted as the recruiter might just move onto the next person instead. You can still compose your CV in Word but save it as a PDF and send.
Personalise (If Possible)
If you’re savvy you’ll perform the necessary research to find out who you’re sending the application to. “Hello Mr. Johnson” is much better than “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam.” However, there may be occasions when you simply don’t know who will be reading the letter. In this case, it’s better not to address anyone. The only thing worse than a generic opening is addressing the person by the wrong name!
Proofread
You would be astonished at the number of spelling and grammatical errors contained in the average cover letter. The reader will assume you were too lazy or haphazard to check your own work which almost guarantees rejection. Firstly do a spell check. Then get a friend or family member to read over it after you’ve proofread it yourself.
Stick To The Point
Hiring managers read dozens of cover letters and the last thing they want is to sift through irrelevant information on a page. Rather than focus on activities and tell the company about your love of bowling, look for ways to align the company’s values with your own.
Cover Letter Template
A classic cover letter should contain 3-4 paragraphs. Try to address a specific person if necessary and then do the following:
Opening Paragraph: Outline what you have to offer that is directly relevant to the role. If you begin rambling you will immediately lose the reader. You can also state the position you are applying for and the reasons why you applied. While this is seen as a complete waste of time by some, there’s a chance that the company will be advertising more than one job.
Middle Paragraphs: This section should include details on how the skills, experience and education you possess make you an ideal fit for the specific requirements of the job. This is where your research comes in handy; you can include details on the company itself (and why you specifically want to work for them) to show that you have done your homework.
Final Paragraph: Conclude by thanking the reader for their consideration and state that you would welcome the opportunity for an interview.
Cover Letter Example
HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER
You should always include a cover letter with your application even if the employer doesn’t ask you for one. Why? Well, it’s a fantastic way to add information that doesn’t fit into a CV. It will also help to give your application a bit more ‘personality’.
When it comes to cover letters, most employers look for the following:
Tailored skills from the job description
Well written and formatted content
Further details from information in your CV (but NOT a direct copy)
The ‘value’ you would bring to the organisation. In other words, why should we hire you?Perfect spelling & grammar
A reflection of your personality
Cover Letter Example
Dear Mr. Jones,
I am applying for the available marketing assistant role advertised at www.totalsolutions.ieI am a marketing professional with 15+ years of industry experience. As well as having experience in the marketing field, I graduated from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) with a BA in Marketing. I am now looking to use the knowledge gained so far in my career to further help clients achieve their sales targets and the opening at Acme Business presents me with the ideal opportunity to achieve this goal. I believe I meet all the criteria needed for the role. In the course of my studies, I learned a great deal about the financial side of running a business including details on setting a budget. I worked as part of a group for a number of projects and feel comfortable as part of a team due to my interpersonal and communication skills.
At Johnson Marketing, I worked for a variety of major international firms and helped them learn crucial details about customer behaviour. As a result, we were able to streamline the marketing campaigns of these clients to reduce costs while increasing ROI. I worked with five different clients during my tenure at Johnson Marketing and all five enjoyed a sales increase of at least 10%. In addition to this extensive marketing campaign experience, I also have strong administrative, communication, problem solving and time management skills. This broad background makes me an ideal candidate for this position and I believe I will bring flexibility, efficiency, reliability and innovation to your company. Please read the accompanying CV which will provide you with further details of my skill set and academic qualifications.
I appreciate you taking the time to read my application and I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards,
Jane Smith
Cover Letter Dont’s
Beginning With Your Name
This is unnecessary since your name is already on your CV and other parts of your application. It is a weak opening and you’re already on the back foot. A better way to start your cover letter is to open by stating that you have a qualification relevant to the job opening.
Beginning with “I’m a marketing professional with 15+ years of healthcare industry experience” is far better than “My name is Jane Doe.”
Repeating Your CV
It is a total waste of time and paper to turn your cover letter into another version of your CV. Remember it is actually attached to your CV!
Your cover letter is your opportunity to show curiosity, an interest in the field and your personality.
Always Google the hiring company and don’t be afraid to throw in a historical fact or two related to the company’s past. For example, tech professionals could talk about how thrilling it is to be part of the industry’s transformation and perhaps mention a recent change that altered the field.
Lying
This should be an obvious point and it also applies to your CV. You may think it can improve your chances of landing the role but in reality, it’s very likely your deception will be uncovered.
These days, companies take no chances and are extremely thorough when performing background checks.
All it takes is one ‘white lie’ to be uncovered and your chances of being employed are finished. Worse still, word might get around and other companies will be reluctant to hire you also.
Adding References
References are irrelevant when it comes to cover letters and are a waste of valuable space. From the hiring manager’s point of view, all you’re doing is including the names of people that mean nothing to them.
Trying To Justify Quitting Or A Redundancy
The reader of your cover letter is only interested in current information and isn’t too concerned about why you were laid off or even why you quit your last job. In fact, bringing these issues up in your cover letter could set off alarm bells in the mind of the hiring manager. They may believe that you still have unresolved issues and are unable to move forward. The interview is the time and place to discuss these matters.
HOW TO WRITE A CV
As you probably know, CV stands for Curriculum Vitae. Bear in mind it is not the story of your life. Instead, think of it as a sales brochure which is a summary of your experience, skills and education written to convince employers that you are the best choice for their vacancy.
Cover Letter Dont’s
Beginning With Your Name
This is unnecessary since your name is already on your CV and other parts of your application. It is a weak opening and you’re already on the back foot. A better way to start your cover letter is to open by stating that you have a qualification relevant to the job opening.
Beginning with “I’m a marketing professional with 15+ years of healthcare industry experience” is far better than “My name is Jane Doe.”
Repeating Your CV
It is a total waste of time and paper to turn your cover letter into another version of your CV. Remember it actually attached your CV!
Your cover letter is your opportunity to show an interest in the field, curiosity and your personality.
Always Google the hiring company and don’t be afraid to throw in a historical fact or two related to the company’s past. For example, tech professionals could talk about how thrilling it is to be part of the industry’s transformation and perhaps mention a recent change that altered the field.
Lying
This should be an obvious point and it also applies to your CV. You may think it can improve your chances of landing the role but in reality, it’s very likely your deception will be uncovered. These days, companies take no chances and are extremely thorough when performing background checks. All it takes is one ‘white lie’ to be uncovered and your chances of being employed are finished. Worse still, word might get around and other companies will be reluctant to hire you also.
Adding References
References are irrelevant when it comes to cover letters and are a waste of valuable space. From the hiring manager’s point of view, all you’re doing is including the names of people that mean nothing to them.
Trying To Justify Quitting Or A Redundancy
The reader of your cover letter is only interested in current information and isn’t too concerned about why you were laid off or even why you quit your last job. In fact, bringing these issues up in your cover letter could set off alarm bells in the mind of the hiring manager. They may believe that you still have unresolved issues and are unable to move forward. The interview is the time and place to discuss these matters.
HOW TO WRITE A CV
As you probably know, CV stands for Curriculum Vitae. Bear in mind it is not the story of your life. Instead, think of it as a sales brochure which is a summary of your experience, skills and education written to convince employers that you are the best choice for their vacancy.
Top CV Tips
Keep It To 2 A4 Pages
There is no reason to ever go beyond two A4 pages when writing a CV. Remember, hiring managers tend to ‘skim’ the content and have to read a host of applications. If he/she is confronted by a CV spanning several pages, it will end up in the bin.
Your CV is an opportunity to show a company that you tick all the right boxes and the goal is to get an interview. As a result, you have to keep things relatively short and sweet. You can let your personality shine through in your cover letter.
Think of your CV as a sales brochure. The product you are selling is you!
Ensure It Is Error Free
A staggering number of CVs sent to employers have at least one spelling and/or grammatical error. This is cause for immediate rejection.
In other words, meticulous proofreading will immediately increase your chances of being called in for an interview!
Other potential errors to watch out for include providing the wrong contact information (phone numbers and email addresses) and getting the dates in your education and employment history wrong. Double check everything!
Show That You Understand The Job Description
You wouldn’t believe how many people apparently skim the job description only to create a completely unsuitable CV. Always read the job description from start to finish and highlight keywords. Try to find out the aspects of the job you can satisfy and those you can’t.
You don’t need to be a 100% perfect fit in order to have a good chance of getting an interview for the role.
If you find there are a few areas where you’re not strong, compensate by adapting your existing skills. This process will be a lot easier if you have a number of ‘transferable’ skills. By carefully reading the job description, you can avoid wasting time by applying for jobs you have little chance of getting.
Show Your Value
The person reading your CV wants to know if you can do the job and if you are a good fit for the company’s corporate culture. A good CV should answer both these questions conclusively. and involves making the most of the Skills and Interests sections. Include key skills relevant to the role; they may include Teamworking, Problem Solving and Communication skills. Take a moment to consider how you’ve grown your skills. You don’t necessarily need to have gained them in a working capacity. You may have gained Leadership skills by running a volunteer scheme for example.
When it comes to your Interests, avoid being generic and adding things such as ‘watching TV’. Such hobbies may make you seem unsociable and the reader may even perceive you to be lacking people skills if your interests are all solo endeavours. Add examples where you worked as part of a team. For instance, you may have worked for your college’s newspaper or been involved in a local GAA team.
Make The Most Of Your Experience
You should focus on your most recent 2-3 positions unless you have older jobs relevant to the position you’re applying for. When describing your employment history, try and be as specific as possible when listing responsibilities, duties, skills and achievements.
It is always best to include details of how you managed to help your employer. For example, in your role as manager you could outline how you increased productivity by 20% or saved the company money by eliminating inefficient processes. When talking about your experience, you need to forget about showing how amazing you are and concentrate on how you can be a fantastic acquisition for the company.
Keep Your CV Updated
You need to keep your CV updated on a regular basis and add new experience or skills as you achieve them. For example, don’t neglect to add details of a new project you’ve just worked on. Employers are always seeking people who are constantly looking to improve their existing capabilities.
Add References
This is a tricky one. In a lot of cases, you could get away with adding ‘references available upon request’ but in some instances, employers will specifically ask for them.
Try to get your references from past employers as they can back you up when it comes to skills and experience. This is why you should always look to leave your current workplace on good terms.
If you haven’t worked before, use a teacher or a tutor as your reference. Most employers want two references.
