The Insider's View of Winning Cover Letter Layout

Please read this sample letter and see how many specific cover letter layout points you can count. I have included at least eleven (11) different key points that make a cover letter stand out and worth reading.

The more of these specific points you can include in your own letter, the more impact they will have.

When you've read through the cover letter example, check at the bottom of the page to see which of the the points you identified and the explanations and then try to be sure your letter layout works like this. You can print the letter for you own use to help you get your job applications working really well.

You can get more cover letter examples included in my Career Changer's Guide. Also, on the right of this page >>>, please take a look at the CV Writing section and the special deal I've put together for you on my professional CV Writing Services.

Cover Letter Example Layout

Here is the letter layout example a little more clearly so you can see the simple nature of the content. Click the cover letter image above and you can download and print a PDF for your own use.

Mrs J Followay Personnel Director Centrolease Limited Centro House Billings Way Carndale CN67 3LK 14 January 2011 Dear Mrs Followay Finance Manager Ref: 2345 Financial Times 10 January 2011 Your advert for the above position really interests me as I am confident that I have all the skills and experience you are looking for in this role. Being relatively local to Carndale and with some knowledge of your company's excellent reputation and your range of products, I wish to apply for the position as advertised. From my enclosed CV you will note my experience includes: 4 years in a similar Finance Manager position Full responsibility for preparation of monthly accounts Managing small team of 5 administration and 2 IT staff Improved internal control procedures Assisted with post-acquisition integration of Celco With the solid finance and people management experience I have gained at Belting Limited, I am now ready to move into a more responsible position and will bring experience, energy and ambition to the role. As requested I confirm my current salary is £34000 plus benefits and my drive to work time would be less than half an hour. I trust that you will find my application to be of interest and look forward to meeting you at interview. Yours sincerely Peter J Dressing Enc:CV

What did you note from the letter layout above? How many did you spot?

• Properly addressed with contact details clear;

• Banner headline in bold typeface identifies the Job title, reference number and publication;

  Some companies may be advertising several positions in different papers so this leaves no doubt;

• Avoids starting each sentence with “I” (causes I-strain if overdone!!)

• Simple, clear 1-page letter layout;

• Positive and reassuring tone throughout;

• Bullet points (max 5) matched to key requirements in advert;

• When addressed to a name, ends with “yours sincerely”;

• Exudes interest and confidence because those words are actually used;

• Letter layout complies with instructions i.e. salary, location, CV enclosed;

• Ends confidently – expects to be interviewed. (This is quite acceptable; you know you meet the requirements so they will want to see you.)

Use these pointers in your own letter layout and create much more interest.

For more help with letter layout and examples of letters you can actually use and adapt for yourself go to Cover Letter Examples or see the special offer below. These covering letters cover just about every situation you might need during your career change. You will find a Resignation Letter and an Acceptance Letter plus all the application letters you could need.

Interview Skills For Job Search Success

This great cover letter should help you get to the interview, but when the competition for new jobs is so fierce, you owe it to yourself to learn the interview winning techniques that have proven to work for so many people before you.

Go to Killer Interview Secrets and download your free report.

Related Pages:

• Resignation Letter
• Inexperienced Applicant Letter
• The Direct Approach
• 'Thank You' Letters
• Download Sample Letters
• Transferable Skills
• Resources
• IT Jobs Letter

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