Urgent advice needed on how to address a covering letter

[Galaxy]

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1. I would think to use his name. Shows he went to the extra trouble of finding what it was.

2. Sorry, can't help you there!

Wishing him luck.

has he any - even informal - experience of working with children/an anorakish interest in science/technology which could beef it up a bit? stuff he's built out of sticky back plastic at home?

Galaxy,
I would put dear Sir as the opener.
Is there anything outside of work that DH has done that is relevant e.g. competitions, built own pc etc that can be used as 'enthusastic science and electronic amatuer who has............ whilst looking for the right career move' (not sure this is as punchy as you are looking for but HTH)

Sorry Galaxy, I didn't read the body of your post carefully enough, and reading Bellie's reply made me realise it.

I would address it to Mr. X, but I would open the letter by saying Dear Sir.

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I would personally address the letter and envelope by name - it shows initiative and he could also refer to the website in his letter. Ie, "I have had taken the opportunity to view your website and feel I could bring the following attributes to the role etc etc. . . ."

Does that help?

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[name]
The Headmaster
[St. Cake's]
[etc.]

Dear Mr. (or Dr., etc. - double-check) [name],

I have seen your advertisement for a [ ] in [name of paper] and would like to apply for the position.

I enclose a copy of my CV. You will see that in terms of employment my experience has generally been in retail, but outside work the sciences and, in particular, electronics have always been a great personal interest. [Put in just one example, practical if possible - eg for the last 3 years I have been helping the local scout group with the practical work they need for their merit badges in electronics - etc.]

Your position would be an ideal opportunity for me to transfer my interests into paid work, and I would hope that you would be able to consider me for the job. I look forward to hearing from you.

[and beef up the "interests" bit of the CV to put in everything that supports the letter, including maybe some names of referees who can vouch for the interests]

If, on the website, they mention certain parts of the curriculum that he has had experience in then he could draw on those in particular. I know there are some ace letter writers here, hope they can do more for you. xxx

Good luck to your DH by the way

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Lots of posts appeared before I posted, including your second one, Galaxy! Obviously, if he's done loads of impressive things, he could well put in more than one as examples. One key thing is - as I think you're saying - the cover letter needs to be short & punchy - more than three paras and the readers glaze.

And a second thought: where I said "transfer my interests" would be better as "transfer an abiding interest" - sounds more enthusiastic.

also, if you can work it in, try including a current reference of science/technology in the news...
here's the bbc science website , just pick a story and try and work up something on how it had sparked off an idea of getting this over to a certain age group using only empty washing up liquid bottle and a bag of rice (!)

DH is Head of Chem in private school.

address the letter to Dear Headmaster as that is how he is called by everyone NOT by his name. Even the teachers say Headmaster,

although when I spoke to him at carol service I said "How are you SIR?" I just wanted the ground to swallow me up.

DH says "APART FROM HAVING A KEEN INTEREST IN PRACTICAL SCIENCE AND A GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF PHYSICS AND ELECTRONICS, I AM PARTICULARLY KEEN TO WORK WITH PEOPLE. I BELIEVE I HAVE THE QUALITIES WHICH WOULD MAKE ME A VALUED MEMBER OF A TEAM WORKING WITH AND IN SUPPORT OF LABORATORY TEACHERS."
Good luck HTH

yes ditto about headmaster

sorry about capitals DH was dictaing it to me and I was looking at keyboard and not screen

Is he covering all 3 sciences?

How amny people are in the team?

He has to show that he is willing to learn?

Has he done anything about Health and saftey?

Will they send him on a course to get his H&S up to date?

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Please let us know how he gets on

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yes sincerely