Cover Letter: The Rules to Follow

Whether it's for finding a job or getting an internship, a cover letter follows certain rules that you need to know to give yourself the best chance of getting an interview.

1. On the form.
A cover letter is always handwritten. It must be short, well-spaced, with margins, written on a single sheet of good quality paper, without any cross-outs or smudges. At the top of the page, write your contact information, the contact information of the company you are contacting, and the date of sending. The style used should be direct, with short sentences. Obviously, it must not contain any spelling mistakes. If you are not sure, have it proofread by a competent person.

2. On the content.
It must not duplicate the CV. Note that this letter is almost always read first by employers; it is therefore not a mere formality. The information must pique the curiosity of your reader, making them want to look in more detail at your background and give you an interview.

3. It must show in a few lines that you know the company.
To do this, you must of course find out about them beforehand. The more you know, the better you can target how your application has a chance of arousing interest.

4. It must highlight your skills for the position.
Put yourself for a moment in the shoes of an advertiser who wants to promote a product: what would you say about yourself? Avoid any negative wording ("I don't know, I don't know much") to highlight your strengths and your desire to improve.

5. It must clearly state your personal motivations.
As its name indicates, this letter contains the reasons why you are applying for this internship or position: explain why you are passionate about the sector, why you want to progress in this field... This is where you can be most original and stand out from other applications.

6. It must end with a proposal for a future meeting.
Let the recipient know that you will contact them within a few days.

7. Before sending
Before sending, always let it "rest" for a day or two. Have a trusted person proofread it. Better yet: if you know someone who is in a position to hire staff, even if it's in a completely different sector to yours, ask them for their opinion.

Bernadette Costa-Prades.

Viesdefamille.fr

Posted on September 23, 2013.