Job hunting? Make sure your CV does the job by attaching a winning cover letter. If you want to make sure that your CV hits the mark, attach a cover letter that will make your application stand out.  Recruiters are busy people who have to sift through piles of CVs, so anything that makes their job easier will win you points.

My first piece of advice is to throw away your ‘standard’ cover letter. It may take more time but you should tailor every cover letter to address the job role and company you are targeting. It will definitely create a much better impact on your potential employer. The key point of your cover letter is to highlight your suitability for the job and emphasise the key achievements you have set out in your CV. So keep it concise – not more than three quarters of a page and break it up into the following sections:

•   Why you are applying?
•   Why you want to work for that organisation and in that particular role?
•   What you will bring to the job/organisation, referring to relevant skills in your CV?
•   A closing paragraph to outline your availability or next steps.

Demonstrate that you have done your research about the company by referring to specifics about the company or the job – another reason why a ‘standard’ cover letter is not enough!

Use short and simple sentences and make sure what you write is consistent with the information in your CV.  Finally, check for any spelling errors before sending it off.

Frances Williams is the Editor of ReConnect Africa.com  an online careers and jobs publication for African professionals around the world.