Use this guide when a job asks for a cover letter or supporting email, or you are sending a speculative application. Have the job advert, the person specification if there is one, your up-to-date CV and the hiring manager's name if you can find it.
Step by step
Pull out what the employer wants
Read the advert and highlight the three or four requirements that appear most often or are listed as essential. Note any words they repeat, such as 'customer focused' or 'managing budgets'. These become the backbone of your letter. If there is a separate person specification, it may be used for scoring, so make sure each essential point is covered somewhere in your application.
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