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

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.

Discussion

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Average: 4.2 (35 votes)

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.

Submitted by nazu44 on Thu, 17/09/2020 - 20:24

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To: recruitment @new-company.com From: Daniela Saenz Subject: Recruitment Coordinator Dear Ms. Smith, I'm writing in response to your advertisement for a Recruitment Coordinator. My name is Daniela Saenz and I'm a Search Manager. I have had this Job for the current year and I believe I am the person you need for your new role. The bulk of my work involves coordinating our entire search pipeline and set strategies to meet our clients' recruitment expectations. I'm very comfortable using Google Docs like the spreadsheet to analyze data and Monday platform for Project Management. I manage a team of more than 20 Sourcing Specialist and 3 Team Leaders. I have a few years working in the staffing and recruiting industry specifically for the Computer Software/ Internet segment and I truly believe that I have the skills to push your business forward. I would appreciate the opportunity to bring my experience and enthusiasm to this role and continuing to develop professionally and personally. Following our previous conversation about 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. Please find attached my CV. I look forward to hearing from you. Best Regards, Daniela Saenz.

Submitted by Huynh Nguyen on Wed, 02/09/2020 - 12:07

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To: recruitment(at)sheraton.com From: Huynh Nguyen Subject: Recruitment Trainee Application Dear Ms Nhu, I am writing in response to your advertisement for recruitment trainee position. My name is Nguyen T.T Huynh, a junior student at Ton Duc Thang university (TDTU), majored in Hospitality Management. I surely aware of the knowledge that I gain in my school is just the tip of the iceberg. From that point, I hope to have a chance to learn about HR seriously and professionally. Beside my basic knowledge, I have taken the TOEIC and MOS exam, the score was over 700 and 800 respectively. I would very much like the opportunity to bring my enthusiasm to keep learning in order to prepare the best both knowledge and skills for my future when I graduate. Following initial research into your company, I would very much feel we will fit each other and really hope the opportunity to discuss this position with you in person. If you need further information, feel free to contact me via this email. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Huynh Nguyen

Dear Ms. Nhu,

I am excited to apply for the recruitment trainee position at your company and believe my skills and passion make me an ideal fit. As a junior student at Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) majoring in Hospitality Management, I am aware that the knowledge I have gained in school is just the tip of the iceberg. I am eager to learn about HR seriously and professionally and am confident that my strong scores on the TOEIC and MOS exams, which demonstrate my proficiency in English and computer skills, will make me a valuable asset to your team.

I have always been passionate about learning and have consistently sought out opportunities to further my knowledge and skills. For example, I have volunteered at a local HR firm and have completed several online courses in HR management. I am confident that my background in hospitality management and my strong communication and organizational skills make me well-suited for this position. I am also impressed by the values and mission of your company and believe I could make a meaningful contribution to your team.

I would be honored to have the opportunity to discuss this position with you in more detail and am available for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to join your team and contribute to your success.

Sincerely,
Huynh Nguyen

Here are a few suggestions for ways you could revise the text to make it even stronger:

Start with a more engaging opening sentence: Instead of "I am writing in response to your advertisement," you could try something like "I am excited to apply for the recruitment trainee position at your company and believe my skills and passion make me an ideal fit."

Emphasize your qualifications: You mentioned that you have taken the TOEIC and MOS exams, but you could add more detail to explain how these qualifications make you a strong candidate. For example, "I am confident that my strong scores on the TOEIC and MOS exams, which demonstrate my proficiency in English and computer skills, will make me a valuable asset to your team."

Add specific examples of your enthusiasm for learning: You mentioned that you are eager to learn about HR seriously and professionally, but it could be helpful to provide specific examples of how you have demonstrated this in the past. For example, "I have always been passionate about learning and have consistently sought out opportunities to further my knowledge and skills. For example, I have volunteered at a local HR firm and have completed several online courses in HR management."

Use confident language: It's great that you believe you and the company would be a good fit, but try to be more specific about why you think that. For example, "I am confident that my background in hospitality management and my strong communication and organizational skills make me well-suited for this position. I am also impressed by the values and mission of your company and believe I could make a meaningful contribution to your team."

Make a clear request for an interview: It's important to end your letter with a strong closing that makes it clear you are interested in pursuing the opportunity further. You could try something like "I would be honored to have the opportunity to discuss this position with you in more detail and am available for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to join your team and contribute to your success."

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