Covering Letter Tips
There’s no time sit back and relax if you’re serious about getting a new accountancy job in Norfolk – once you’ve devoted hours to crafting your CV, you need to save something special to catch your new employer’s eye in your covering letter.
“Many candidates completely underestimate the significance of the covering letter or email and treat it as an afterthought,” explains accountancy recruitment specialist Justin Murray of Norwich-based Big Sky Additions. “They mistakenly think that the briefest note will suffice: ‘Please find enclosed my CV in respect of the advertised senior accountant role. Yours sincerely, J. Smith.’”
An effective covering letter should not simply summarise your CV: “Add some details which are not in your CV itself to personalise your application and show that you have researched the company,” explains Justin, who recruits for temporary and permanent accountancy jobs in Norfolk. “Try and tie in your strengths, achievements and background using the information you found in your research and the details you glean from the job description itself.”
An eye-catching covering letter and CV need to work together as a package. “Where space is strictly limited to two sides of A4 for a CV, the covering letter gives you the opportunity to stand out from the crowd and re-emphasise your key skills,” adds Justin.
Here are Justin’s key points for a cracking covering letter:
- Try to establish a confident and positive tone without appearing arrogant
- Be concise, businesslike and to the point – aim for two or three paragraphs and certainly no more than one page
- Remember to explain which role you are applying for and where you saw it advertised – if you were referred by a contact be sure to mention their name here
- Outline key aspects of the job and link them directly to the skills that you possess
- Be sure to focus on the most important aspects of the role and relate them to your recent and relevant experiences
t: 01603 516230
e: justin@bigskyadditions.co.uk
