Definitions.
Cover Letter.
A cover letter is
a document that is sent with your CV. It is traditionally done as a front
cover. However it differs from a CV because it is specifically written to
correspond with the job you are applying for.
Speculative Letter.
A
speculative letter is sent alongside your CV when you apply
to a company that isn’t currently advertising any job vacancies. Because you’re
not applying for a specific job the speculative letter should be aimed at the
company you are looking to work for, so they know you are interested in any
positions that become available.
Things to remember when writing a cover letter.
A cover letter should draw together all the facts in your CV and
communicate your enthusiasm for the position. The letter must be well presented
and produced on plain paper using black ink as this produces a clear photocopy.
Ideally the letter should be typed but above all the letter should be brief and
concise.
Your cover letter should be:
- To introduce yourself (personal information
- To register your interest in a specific vacancy
- To highlight your relevant qualifications
- Convincing so the employer is encouraged to offer you an interview
- Kept brief and concise
- Written in a clear, easy to read font, e.g. Arial or Times New Roman, size 12
- Tailored to each job you apply for
- Printed on plain paper using black ink
- Set out as a formal business letter
Things to remember when writing a speculative letter.
When writing a speculative letter to inquire about possible vacancies,
the same rules apply as the cover letter, but is also important to include the
following:
- State the position/s you are interested in on the subject line of the letter/email
- Ensure you have researched the organisation you are applying to and refer to reasons as to why you would like to work for them
- Be sure to follow up on your speculative letter, around one week later, with a phone call or email to check that the relevant person has received it. Ask whether they would meet with you to discuss future job opportunities and ways of gaining work or further experience in this area.
Differences between a Speculative and a Cover Letter.
The significant differences between a cover letter and a Speculative
letter are:
- A cover letter acts as a summary of the job seeker’s resume whereas the application letter has detailed information on the job seeker’s skills and abilities.
- An application letter reveals the applicant’s skills, qualifications, strengths and skills relevant to the job at hand while a cover letter will bear the candidates contacts and a brief highlight why the candidate is the best for the position while ignoring in-depth details.
- An application letter can act as a stand-alone document during a job application showcasing why the applicant is suitable for the position. A cover letter should be accompanied by a resume to qualify as a full application package.
- The application letter will work to describe why you’re the best candidate, besides booking an interview for the applicant; the cover letter will only show the intention of the letter and define the professional ability of the sender.
Bibliography.
Reed.co.uk, (2019), What is a cover letter, https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/what-is-a-cover-letter/,
[25/09/2019]
Reed.co.uk, (2019), Speculative cover letters:
what you need to know, https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/speculative-cover-letters-what-you-need-to-know/,
[25/09/2019]
DOCFormats, (2019),
Difference between an application and cover letter, https://www.docformats.com/difference-between-an-application-and-a-cover-letter/#when-to-use-an-application-letter,
[25/09/2019]
No comments:
Post a Comment