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A professional CV with a good covering letter is like an icing on the cake.
The cover letters should be professional enough to capture the employer's attention, show why you are writing, indicate why your employment will benefit the company, and ask for an interview.
A cover letter is generally written to enhance your professional CV. It should highlight your professional qualifications and your relevant professional experience. Let them know that you have thought about why you want to work with them. It should entice the reader to read the whole page which would in turn make them go through your CV.
It should:
 Emphasize your professional skills and professional experience in relation to an advertised job
Create a first impression if making a speculative application
Write things about yourself to prospective employers
Should not write more than a page.
Cover letters should generally include:
 Opening
Body
Closing
Opening:
An opening should be appealing to the reader. If you are writing an advert mention the details. Do not talk more about yourself.
You can write something like
I am writing to you in response to your advertisement for ……
If you are writing a general application make sure you address the person correctly.
Cross check with name spellings, gender and how they would prefer to be addressed.
Body: This can usually be a little descriptive which should include your professional experience, your professional qualifications and your professional achievements. Do not make it too lengthy.
Use sentences like
My goal is to work as a Manager………
I am highly motivated, proactive, a thorough professional and sincere in my work seeking career in ……
Demonstrate your professional communication skills and show your passion in work and that you are target oriented.
Closing:
The closing should make the reader feel that you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Request for an interview, suggest a date and time and inform that it would be according to their convenience. Recheck your contact information. Give the reader an option to contact or how you would like to be contacted via email or telephone. Accordingly give the details. Usually end with a ‘Sincerely yours’ leaving some space for your signature. Type your name below. Leave enough space between your name and the complimentary closing statement.
Make your letter professional using simple language and precise information.
In the end ask yourself questions:
Does your cover letter focus on what you want and does it convey your message?
Does the cover letter say why you are writing?
Does the cover letter grab the readers’ attention?
Is your cover letter interesting and to the point?
Have you thought over the cover letter from the employers prospective?
Does it say enough or too much about yourself?
If you get most of your answers in ‘YES’ then your cover letter is up to the mark.
Remember a professional covering letter is an agent who can get the reader to the selling document which is your CV.
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