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  4. A covering email

A covering email

A covering email

Learn how to write a covering email to accompany a job application.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Preparation

Matching_MjMxNDU=

Reading text

To: recruitment@new-company.com
From: Susan Nelson
Subject: Digital Marketing Executive application

 

Dear Ms Jones,

I'm writing in response to your advertisement for a Digital Marketing Executive. My name is Susan Nelson and I'm a Social Media Marketing Assistant. I have had this job for the past two years and I believe I am the person you need for your new role.

The bulk of my work involves designing and implementing online marketing campaigns across a range of channels. I am very comfortable using analytics to assess campaign success and drive future initiatives. I work with a range of social media platforms and tools for digital marketing.  

I have always worked in the retail industry and am familiar with the seasonal nature of business such as yours and have the skills to push your business forward through creativity and innovation. I would very much like the opportunity to both bring my experience and enthusiasm to this role while continuing to develop professionally and personally.

Following initial research into your company I very much feel we would be a good fit for each other and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this position with you in person.  

Please find attached my CV.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,


Susan Nelson

Tips

  1. Try to find out the name of the person hiring and address your cover letter to them.
  2. Start with a clear statement about who you are and the role you are applying for.
  3. Then give information about your current work (or studies if you are still a student).
  4. Mention how and why this experience is suited to the new company and role, including any transferable skills (= things you have learned that you will take with you to future jobs).
  5. End with a closing statement that suggests further contact.
    I look forward to hearing from you.

Task 1

TrueOrFalse_MjMxNDk=.xml

Task 2

Grouping_MjMxNTA=.xml

Task 3

ReorderingHorizontal_MjMxNTE=.xml

Discussion

Do you have any tips for writing a good covering email?

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Language level

B2 Upper intermediate

Topics

jobs and work
Average: 4.2 (31 votes)

Submitted by mrhgo on Sun, 06/12/2020 - 17:12

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I have never written a covering email in English because it has not been necessary for my jobs in Spain. I just move to London and I've found this practice quite useful. I try to keep all those tips in mind and I would also like to add one additional tip about the form of the cover letter: - We've to notice that the appearance is as relevant as the content.

Submitted by iamloïs on Thu, 19/11/2020 - 08:02

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It's been a long time I haven't writing a covering mail. But, I am used to write mails a lot in a week because with the lockdown, I write to my teachers to ask some questions about the course. So now, thanks to this, polite expressions and the e-mail form hold no secrets for me anymore!
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Submitted by Hennadii on Thu, 12/11/2020 - 16:40

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Telling the truth I haven't written a covering email for a while. Obviously, because I haven't looked for a new job. But right now I'm in the middle of a work search so this theme is quite timely. Thanks, guys! For the topic. I think your tips are very useful and I'm going to keep them in mind. Yes, you definitely show us the really good covering email and explain every important part of it. The covering letter must be brief but not too short, informative but not double your CV, it's good to put in it some personality but not cross the official/unofficial border and make it too casual. Well, I haven't any other tips, because you have already covered this topic complitly.

Submitted by EdtaKrkmz on Fri, 06/11/2020 - 00:11

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Hello I am Eda and I am a chemist. I has been working as research and development engineer. My company has got so many foreign customers and we have to keep in touch with e-mail. Sometimes sending mail in English is hard to me because of the my weak grammar but i can improve my English skills with using your website. Thank you to provide this opportunity to us. Lets come your question. Yes, I have some tips to for writing a good covering email. 1-Start with introducing yourself clearly and shortly 2-Write your purpose on the email 3-Don't write too long paragraphs. It should has short and clear ideas. 4-Finish with being very polite

Hello Eda,

Thanks for sharing this good advice about how to organise an email. I wanted to mention that in the next few months we plan to publish a course called Effective Email Communication for our subscribers that has really useful advice for people who use email frequently, especially in a business setting. We'll announce it once it's published.

I just thought you might be interested, but no worries if not!

Best wishes,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by AprilApple on Fri, 23/10/2020 - 06:02

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Hi I am a fresh graduate and have no working experiences. How am I going to describe how much I know about the job and how much help that I can give to the company that I am applying for? Next, what about the role of the job that is not really related to your university courses? Like for example, you studied sciences but has applied for sales or other positions that are not really related to sciences, how do you write a letter for job application in that case?

Hello AprilApple,

As for your university studies in other areas, think about the kinds of skills you developed there. These can be quite general (e.g. critical thinking, reading texts closely, writing clearly, presenting complex data for non-specialists) and usable in many different contexts.

I'd also highly recommend you do an internet search for something like 'tips for new job seekers', where I expect you'll find better advice than we can give you on this.

We wish you all the best with your job search.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by AnnaSmith on Thu, 22/10/2020 - 19:58

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Yes, I have a few tips. 1) Do not repeat the same things as at CV, but do a summary 2) Concentrate on transferable skills (in case your current work is different) 3) Explain your motivation 4) Tell why you are better than other for this job

Submitted by Ugulhan on Mon, 05/10/2020 - 09:12

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I found a good one this covering letter because I have written also the same content in my previous cover letter. But I feel the more likely the content has a wide range of vocabulary. Therefore, I would use this cover letter example for my next cover letter.

Submitted by YaMaCa on Sat, 03/10/2020 - 12:47

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I would like to share some tips to write covering emails. 1- your name, years of experience, and actual job. 2- a position that you are applying. 3- skills that you have learned throughout your career. 4- why do you like to be part of the company 5. Why do you think, you are the right person.