The University of Sheffield
Careers Service

Covering Letters

Always include a covering letter if you are using a CV to apply for a job. It is the covering letter that will encourage the employer to read your CV. The CV tells the employer what you have done, but not why you believe you are suitable for the job, why you want to work in this area or for this particular organisation. The CV is the product, the covering letter is the marketing.

Do

  • Use one side of white A4 paper and word process it unless you are asked to send it handwritten.
  • If possible, address it to a person by name - just call the organisation and ask, if it's not clear elsewhere.
  • Set out your letter as a formal business letter. If you are not sure how to do this, look at the examples available to download.
  • Check for spelling or grammatical errors.
  • Use the same font as your CV so that they look consistent.
  • Deal with a problem area if you feel that it needs to be raised, for example, a retaken year or a health problem. Try to be brief and positive and don't draw attention to something which is minor. If in doubt come and talk to a Careers Adviser.
  • Tailor your covering letter to each application and try to highlight skills and experience that are relevant to the employer.

Don't

  • Waffle. Make the employer want to read your CV.
  • Be overly humourous or too informal - you want to be taken seriously.
  • Underplay your skills or make negative comments about yourself.

Email applications

If you are sending your CV as an email attachment then you should also attach your covering letter rather than type it into the body of the email message. The format of an email can change drastically depending on the system used by the employer and may not look the same when it arrives or be easy to read.


CV and covering letter clinic

Once you have produced a draft of your covering letter, bring a paper copy along to the Careers Service and get it reviewed by a member of staff. Depending on the time of year we can offer pre-booked and / or book on the day appointments. To book visit us at 388 Glossop Road or call us on 0114 2220910.


Email Enquiry Service

If you are a graduate or you find it difficult to visit the Careers Service, you can use our Email Enquiry Service. If attaching documents, please save in Word 97-2003 format.

Briefing booklets and CVs

Sample CVs and covering letters

Talks and DVDs
Information resources

Make use of the books and resources on writing covering letters held in our Careers Service library.