How To Get A Cover Letter Right

There are some common mistakes made by candidates when faced with the task of writing a cover letter. From the one sentence letters along the line of: 'Please consider me for the position of ____' , to the generic template letter where only the job title and addressee have been changed, a bad cover letter can result in your application being dismissed, no matter how impressive your CV might be.
If you are required to write a cover letter to support your job application, do not view it as an added extra but rather as an important part of your application and a further opportunity to sell yourself.
Here are Flame Health's tips for cover letter success, and mistakes to avoid!

• Do not just re-write your CV - the cover letter is your chance to explain why you think you would be suitable for a particular role, not just a summary of your CV, so make sure you pick out key points from your experience which directly relate to the role you are applying for
• Be concise - write in clear, concise sentences and make sure your letter does not go over one side of A4; you should be able to summarise the key points in 3-4 paragraphs
• Have a clear structure - an opening paragraph should explain why you are writing, the middle paragraphs should be focusing on your experience in relation to the job description, and the final paragraph should mention the next steps e.g. 'I look forward to hearing from you'
• Tailor it! A generic cover letter is obvious to employers, make sure your letter is specific to the role and the company you are applying for
• Proof read - cover letters with spelling or grammar errors do not create a professional impression to a potential employer; show that you have made an effort by double-checking your letter

 
Flame Health can help you with all aspects of the recruitment process; if you work within the following sectors, contact us today:
Optometry, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary, Care, GP, Nursing, Cosmetic Surgery, Pharma
Freephone on 0800 085 0858 or if calling from a mobile on 01158 114488 alternatively email [email protected] 
For more cover letter tips, visit: http://careers.theguardian.com/cover-letter-successful-basics