Writing Skills

1. Cover Letters
M. ARSALAN SIDDIQUI
INSTRUCTOR at DUHS/ I U/ PACC
IELTS/TOEFL/EFL/Business English
Arsalan.siddiki@hotmail.com
0333 3325991

2. Why Covering Letter?
Whenever there is a job going the person advertising that job will get
dozens (sometimes thousands) of CVs flooding onto their desk or
through their emails. The people looking at all these CVs are
probably busy and would love to know which ones are worth looking
at. Yes, in theory they should look at each and every one of them and
spend an equal time on each. But they don’t.
So how do they start looking at this pile of CVs? Well, first they look at
the cover letter. Whatever you have written and the way you have
written it, gives them a clue as to whether your CV is worth putting to
one side.
So the cover letter can get your CV noticed. It may even get you
noticed over someone else who has a better CV than you. If you
don’t have a cover letter, then the person looking at this big pile of
CVs will have fewer reasons to look at your CV first.

3. Mind you!
Never send a resume without a
cover letter! See cover letter
section for more information
on how to compose a letter.

4. How to write?
O Paragraph 1: Express interest in both the company and the
specific job for which you're applying.
O Paragraph 2: In two or three sentences, describe the single
most important skill you bring to the job (i.e., why you're
uniquely qualified for the position).
O Paragraph 3: In two or three sentences, describe the
second most important skill you bring to the job.
O Paragraph 4: Invite the reader to contact you and thank him
or her for considering your resume.
O Number of paragraphs are debatable so make it concise and
relevant

5. Dos!
O Everything you write should relate directly
to the job at hand. They won’t want to
know that you like football or watching TV
unless the job is about football or TV.
O You cover letter should be no more than
two paragraphs. Make it short and to the
point and it will intrigue the reader. They
will appreciate that you are not wasting
their time.

6. Dos!
O Hit on the key points that would interest
employers.
O Mention the specifics of the position you
are targeting.
O Reflecting qualifications that are relevant
to their requirements.
O Confidently ask for an interview.
O Use action verbs (i.e., analyzed, created,
managed, trained, etc.)

7. Don’ts!
O Don’t just repeat what’s in your CV. Your
cover letter is almost like a conversation.
If you like, imagine you are talking directly
to the employer about why they should
hire you – but in two to three paragraphs
(you don’t want to bore them).

8. Teachers!Dear,
I am interested in applying for a teaching position, on the elementary level, in your school district.
As a 200X graduate of XXX College, I have student teaching experience on the third and sixth
grade level, in both suburban and urban school districts.
At the present time I am teaching “at risk” preschool children. This position enables me to provide
these students with a “head start” in mastering basic skills. I am challenged to be creative,
nurturing and most of all, patient.
In my junior year at XXX College, a passion for and knowledge of horses created an opportunity
for me work for the Racing Museum. This position allowed me to teach every fourth grade class
in the local school system. I coordinated field trips with classroom instruction.
It is my goal to combine my range of experience with my ability to be a compassionate,
enthusiastic, intelligent teacher who will make a positive contribution to your school district. I
would welcome an interview and hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Signature
First Name Last Name

9. Nurses!Dear Dr. Admin,
I am interested in the position you advertised in the Our Town Gazette for a medical-surgical
nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital. I will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in
Nursing from Southern State University in May and I expect to take my NCLEX-RN licensure
exam the following week. I enjoy working with medical-surgical patients. One of my clinical
rotations was in Good Samaritan Hospital on Unit 9 AB. I would like to join the conscientious
team of nurses that I met. I found that excellent care was provided and the nursing staff was
well satisfied with the administration and the work environment.
I have a special interest in diabetes care and patient education for diabetes. While I was in nursing
school, I worked for 2 years as a nurses' aide in Haven Health Center. Many of our patients had
diabetes. I also presented a poster on internet resources for diabetes education at our school's
research day.
I look forward to an interview with you to discuss my education and experience. Please contact
me at (222) 333-4444 or at the address above. I have enclosed a copy of my resume with this
letter. Thank you for your attention and consideration.
Sincerely,
Newly Graduated Nurse

10. Sample:Dear [INSERT HIRING MANAGER’S NAME],
Regarding the [INSERT JOB TITLE] position currently advertised on Monster.co.uk,
please find attached a copy of my CV for your consideration.
Having worked within the industry for over [INSERT YEARS EXPERIENCE], I have
developed a wide range of skills that would meet, and exceed the expectations for the
role.
During my career I have had many achievements, including [INSERT KEY
ACHIEVEMENT]. I am currently unemployed and would relish the opportunity to
immediately bring this level of success to your company.
If you would like to get in touch to discuss my application and to arrange an interview, you
can contact me via [INSERT PHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL ADDRESS].
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely
[INSERT NAME]

11. Dear [INSERT HIRING MANAGER’S NAME],
Regarding the [INSERT JOB TITLE] position currently advertised on Monster.co.uk, please find attached
a copy of my CV for your consideration.
I have recently graduated with a [INSERT GRADE] in [INSERT SUBJECT] from [INSERT UNIVERSITY]
and hope to put this to use in the field of [INSERT INDUSTRY SECTOR].
The course covered many topics, and I was particularly drawn to [INSERT SPECIFIC TOPIC]. I am
looking to develop specialist skills in this area and build a successful career.
INCLUDE IF YOU HAVE UNDERTAKEN WORK EXPERIENCE
I have put my course theory into practice in a variety of ways, most effectively as a [INSERT JOB TITLE]
at [INSERT COMPANY NAME] where I [INSERT KEY ACHIEVEMENT].
Having extensively researched your company’s values and products, I was especially interested in
[INSERT COMPANY ASPECT THAT ATTRACTED YOU].I feel it would be the ideal place for me to
begin my career and I believe I can be an excellent addition to your team.
If you would like to get in touch to discuss my application and to arrange an interview, you can contact
me via [INSERT PHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL ADDRESS].
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely
[INSERT NAME]

12. Dear [INSERT HIRING MANAGER’S NAME],
Regarding the [INSERT JOB TITLE] position currently advertised on Monster.co.uk, please find attached
a copy of my CV for your consideration.
I’m looking to gain practical experience within [INSERT INDUSTRY SECTOR] and feel that a part-time
position within your company would help me to demonstrate the abilities I have.
INCLUDE IF YOU HAVE UNDERTAKEN WORK EXPERIENCE
I have been studying [INSERT RELEVANT COURSE] and have already gained some experience as a
[INSERT JOB TITLE] at [INSERT COMPANY NAME] where I [INSERT KEY RESPONSIBILITY OR
ACHIEVEMENT].
I believe my skills in [INSERT KEY SKILLS] would make me a positive addition to your team.
If you would like to get in touch to discuss my application and to arrange an interview, you can contact
me via [INSERT PHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL ADDRESS].
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely
[INSERT NAME]