I was speaking to a girl called Oksana on Saturday(hello if you're reading) at the weekly English speaking meeting in Lviv, at Forum Lviv's Cinema Lounge , at 3pm. More info. And she was telling me about how recently in one of her in-company language classes they had learnt how to write a cover letter. I thought this was a great idea and a very useful skill to teach because at some point of your life you will probably apply for a job outside of your country or for an international company and you will need to have an English CV and write a cover letter. So, that's exactly what we are going to look at today, the structure and expressions which can fit into our cover letter.
Usually students start to panic when they have to write some kind of formal email, especially something as important as a cover letter, but like most formal letters there is a certain format you just need to follow and a set of expressions that slot into this format to produce a nicely sounding formal cover letter..
Below you will find expressions you can use for your cover letter and further down you'll find the format, and then some practise.
Why? - Always start any formal letter with why you are contacting
I am writing to you regarding your current vacancy for the position of ______
I am writing to you concerning your current vacancy for a _________
I am writing to you with regards to your current vacancy for a _____
I am contacting you regarding the current vacancy you have for a ______
I am contacting you with regards to your current vacancy for a ______
Who are you? - a brief introduction of who you are
I am a <subject qualification> <job title> with over <years> experience from <place>
I am a recent graduate of <subject> at <institute> looking to now gain some experience in..
I am a student of <subject> at <institute> currently looking at positions connected to....
I am a <job title> currently working for <company> looking at opportunities to advance my career.
Experience – talking about your work and non-work experience
In that time I have <done> - used when you have mentioned your years of experience
During that time I have <done> - used when you have mentioned your years of experience
I have over <years> experience in ....
While I have no formal experience with <subject/job> I have been involved with <thing> - when you don't have any work experience, but other experience connected to the job you're applying for.
Last year/summer I... - referring to an experience
Not only have I <done> I have also <done> .... I have worked with <programme/computer language> for <years>
Talking about your duties - what did/do you do
I was/am responsible for....
I was/am in charge of....
My duties involved/involve...
It is my responsibility to make sure...
Over the last the few years I have been involved with..
Adding extra – phrases you can use to link other experience
Also I have...
As well as … I have ..
Along with.
In additional (to something ) I have...
Why you chose this company/job?
I am now interested in taking the next step in my development and I believe your company is the company to help me do this.
I am an admirer of your company and believe...
The position will allow me to improve..
With my skills and experience I believe I am the ideal fit for this position
With your reputation of <something> I am sure I will...
The position will enable me to use my recently learned skills as well as improve my...
I have no doubt that your company will...
Sign off
I have enclosed a copy of my CV to this email and would be grateful if you would consider me for this position
Format
<HELLO>
<WHY ARE SENDING THE EMAIL>
<WHO ARE YOU AND YOUR EXPERIENCE>
<WHY THIS JOB AND COMPANY>
<SIGN OFF>
<BYE>
Practice #1 recent graduate
Dear Mr Smith,
….......................................................................
….......................... Mathematics at Vienna University …...................... accountancy. …......... I had a summer job at M&Z Financial where I worked in the financing department and …................. making sure the yearly budgets were within line of guidance. …...... working for M&Z last summer …........ had a part-time job at Lion Finance at the beginning of the year where …....... advising clients with offshore investments
…............................ you are the right company to help me grow and develop my skills …..... … this position will allow me to put what I have learnt into practice.
I have enclosed a copy of my CV to this email and would be grateful if you would consider me for this position
Yours sincerely
Bob McMuffin
Practice #2 experience
Dear Mrs Potter,
…........................................................................
........Project Manager................ Microsoft ....................... ............. .................... project managing and I have worked on over 50 projects, most noticeably the release of Windows 10 in Italy. I _________ managing a team of 100 and contacting over 500 retailers in 40 different cities. ...................... I have worked on a varied projects from technology to beauty products.
.................................................... and it would be a pleasure to work for such a well-respected company.
I have enclosed a copy of my CV to this email and would be grateful if you would consider me for this position
Yours sincerely
Bob McMuffin
Cheers
www.luke.lv - English native speaker in Lviv