Covering letters are usually sent with a CV as a form of training contract application where the completion of an application form is not required. Some firms also request a covering letter as part of an application form.
Before setting about drafting a covering letter it is important to understand what it should be aiming to achieve. The least the letter will achieve is to provide an introduction to your CV – this may well not be read if the covering letter is badly presented or contains mistakes. The most the letter will achieve is that it will get you past the initial cut of applications by giving the reader enough confidence that it is worth them continuing to read your CV.
So if the covering letter could be the green or red light to your application being considered in full you want to take your time over it and get it right.
Here are our tips on producing a winning training contract application covering letter:
- Address it to the actual person who is in charge of receiving trainee applications. This information will be included in their recruitment information or, if not, you must telephone the firm to ask who you should address your application to.
- Include your address (but not telephone number and email address as these will be on your CV) – your address goes at the top right of the letter and the addressee’s name and firm’s address goes below the last line of your details but on the left of the letter. The date goes below their address.
- Presentation – covering letters should fit on one page of A4 paper and, where they are to be posted as opposed to emailed, be printed on good quality white or cream paper and typed in a common and professional looking font such as Times New Roman or Arial.
- Spelling & Grammar – check, check and check again – any spelling or grammar mistakes will see your application being filed in the big round filing tray called ‘bin’ no matter how good a candidate you are.
- Write in a simple, direct and concise manner – help the reader by getting your points across in a succinct manner.
- Tailor each letter to the specific firm you are writing to – this obviously takes more time than mass mailing the same letter but the time spent will be the difference between success and failure in most cases.
- Structure your covering letters along the following lines:
- Identify yourself and why you are writing, ie that you are writing to apply for a training contract commencing in September 2010 with XYZ & Co. Mention the advertisement if you are applying in response to one.
- Why that firm? This is where you show that you are not just applying to firms in a scatter-gun fashion. You should avoid generalisations here such as the firm being a leading firm. This is where you display the knowledge you have gained when researching the firm. What is it specifically about the firm’s size, location, areas of law practised that has made you apply to them. Mention how your work experience has helped you make an informed decision to now be applying to them.
- Why you? Highlight a special quality you have or a particular achievement of yours that might help persuade them that you are the right person for them – this will be something that is also included in, and expanded upon, in your CV. Expand on this with a further example of your work experience and what it gave you that is relevant to the firm you are applying to.
- Sign off professionally by thanking them for their time in considering your application, stating your availability for interview and asking that they contact you with any queries.
- If it is a postal application, ensure that you remember to sign the covering letter before you post it – this may sound obvious but you’ll be surprised how many people forget when rushing to meet deadlines or when so relieved to have finally completed the application. Receipt of an unsigned letter by a trainee recruiter is sure to see it heading into the bin for ‘lack of attention to detail’.
