Writing a covering letter

[SerenityNowAKABleh]

It has been ages since I last wrote one, and a job that I am wanting to appply for requires one.

What recommendations does anyone have? What sort of things should you include? Highlight the best bits of your CV or put in things that aren't necessarily in your CV, or, expand on things you've done, giving more detail?

TIA

[Hedwood]

Your covering letter should be attention getting (they may have lots of applicants) so firstly ensure it's totally relevant to the position you're applying for.

So - don't repeat what's in your cv, but expand or pick out 3 things that are specific skills (ideally things they've highlighted they want).

There's a thread on here about recruitment consultants, you may want to stick something on there asking for advice

[SerenityNowAKABleh]

Thanks Hedwood! Will look for the recruitment consultant thread.

[wicked]

Do you have a person spec for the job? If so, your covering letter has to address each point.

[SerenityNowAKABleh]

The job spec is from a recruitment website.

The advert has two parts. The first is "The role involves" which describes day to day tasks (kind of), but also details (in a way) technical skills and soft skills that you must posses (the way I see it) like being able to provide training. The second part says "to qualify you must possess" and details things like organisational skills, time management, working to deadlines as well as technical knowledge-y stuff (knowing about particular legislation).

Should I try to address both bits? And how long should it be generally speaking (I'm currently thinking 1 page).

For the time management, deadline stuff, is it alright to say "I am excellent and working to deadlines, and always deliver on or before target" or some such. Or should I say "I was in charge of x project, which was due to go live on y date, but managed to complete on [date week before y]".

[MaHumbug]

okay, I was going to say that it was too specific for a covering letter but if they require it thenI'd say a specific example is fine.

ensure that you convey that you've read up on their company and compliment them in their particular field without being too licky.

Good luck! I have just started a new job after looking for the last 7 months.

[SerenityNowAKABleh]

I don't know what company it is, unfortunately. The ad just says "Global investment bank".

Thanks for the advice!