Graduate Toolkit
Cover letters
What is a cover letter and why would I need one?
A cover letter will often accompany your CV when you are applying for a work or study opportunity. So even if you spend lots of time perfecting your CV, your application can still be affected by the quality of your cover letter. It is therefore important that you take time to create a well-structured cover letter targeted to every opportunity you apply for.
The purpose is to draw together relevant facts from your CV or application form and shape them to the needs of the employer; demonstrating your ability to do the job. It essentially helps you ‘sell’ your application.
What makes a great cover letter
- Applications should always include a cover letter unless specified otherwise
- Tailor your cover letter with the position you’re applying for in mind
- A cover letter should not exceed one page
Generally, three to five paragraphs are sufficient for a page long cover letter, giving you scope to evidence your skills and tailor your transferrable skills to the role.
We suggest using a structure called the ICME structure; this is an acronym that stands for introduction, capability, motivation, and ending.
- I - Introduction – A brief opening to introduce yourself and outlining the position or opportunity you are applying for and where you saw it advertised.
- C - Capability – One to two paragraphs that explains why you are suitable for the role. You should refer to the job/course description and demonstrate how you meet the requirements for the opportunity – check back to your table and make sure you have evidenced the core competencies required.
- M - Motivation – One to two paragraphs that detail why you are interested in the company/institution and the position/study. Make sure you are specific and demonstrate that you have done your research.
- E - Ending – A couple of lines that thank the reader for their time and state that you are looking forward to hearing from them.
Once you are confident that you understand what makes a strong cover letter and how it should be structured, move on to the preparation stage for your own cover letter.
- Review the job specification and highlight the core competencies this company/organisation are looking for from you in the role. Make a note of the essential competencies you will need to evidence in your cover letter. If you fail to demonstrate that you meet their essential competencies in your application documents, it is unlikely you will make it through to the interview stage.
- Research the company/organisation using resources such as LinkedIn, the company’s website and additional resources such as glassdoor in order to build your commercial awareness around the role and sector. Make a note of core values, key personnel, and learn exactly what this company/organisation does. Try and demonstrate your knowledge and commercial awareness in your covering letter.
Planning
You should now have a list of the key competencies that the employer expects the successful candidate to meet. It is a good idea to plan your examples of how you can demonstrate you have what it takes for this particular role ahead of starting your draft.
Make a table to remind yourself not to miss any of the key criteria the employer is looking for! This will also be really helpful to refer back to at later stages of the recruitment process.
Example table
| Essential competencies | Example |
| Communication skills | Being a student ambassador during my third year at university, I often assisted with the running of events and delivered presentations. |
| Customer service background | Part time job in M&S: dealing with customer queries and handling refund requests. |
| Admin skills | Coordinating a rota for all student ambassadors. |
| Time management | Course deadlines alongside my part-time job and student ambassador duties. |
You should also consider your reasons for applying to the role:
- What has motivated you to pursue this opportunity?
- What interests you most about this internship/role?
- What differentiates this job and company to you from their competitors?
Writing your first draft
Now that you know what a cover letter ‘should’ look like, have researched the company and enhanced your commercial awareness, have identified the key requirements of the role and planned your examples in line with the job specification, you are ready to begin drafting!
Remember, this will be the first draft and is unlikely to be a perfect first attempt that you submit immediately.
Make sure that your cover letter/statement has a clear structure, so that the employer can easily recognise what you are addressing. Remember back to the ICME structure: introduction, capability, motivation, and ending.
When checking your first draft, be sure that you have also done the following:
- Referred back to the specific course or job requirements
- Used direct, positive and appropriate language to help your cover letter stand out
For further advice and guidance, please book in for a one-to-one application coaching appointment with one of our advisors. To book an appointment, please login to your graduate MyCareers account.