When posting a CV to a potential Cardiff employer should you on all occasions submit a covering letter too? What should it say? We at AllCardiffJobs want to assist you in improving your chances of getting that superb job so here is our recommendations on covering letters.

Should you always include a covering letter?

Easy answer, YES!

A CV will inform a potential Cardiff employer of your employment history, education etc but not the reason you are applying for their opening with their organisation. It also gives your CV a personal touch which demonstrates to the employer that you have made a particular effort to apply.

So what do you say to aid you in securing that job and making sure you stand out from the crowd?

Firstly, bear in mind that you are presenting yourself to a professional person and your covering letter should reflect this:

• If the name of the person you are sending the CV to is in the advert then make sure you address it to them. For example, you may find ‘please apply to Mr Fred Bloggs, Cardiff branch’ at the bottom of the advert


• If it is not on the advert then phone the business and ask for a name to address it to as it demonstrates an extra effort. If the name is still not available then address it ‘Dear Sir/Madam’


• Remember to close with ‘Kind Regards’, ‘Yours Sincerely’ (if it’s to a named person) or ‘Yours Faithfully’ (if you have not been able to find out the name)


• You should do this also when applying to one of Cardiff recruitment agencies as they also will need to think that you are suitable.

Secondly, bear in mind that you are putting your best foot forward in particular relation to the job for which you are applying. The things you might want to include are:

• Explain that you are attaching your CV for their reference for the Cardiff position advertised.


• Express interest in the Cardiff position


• Mention briefly what you have been doing with career


• Explain the skills you think you have and how you could apply them to this position


• Finally, Explain that you would be pleased to discuss this further if they would be kind enough to invite you to interview.

Try to be honest and passionate. Think about why you are applying, there must be reasons you consider that you can do the job so explain that to them. A great covering letter could be more important than the CV itself particularly if you don’t have exactly the correct skills or experience but consider that you can make up for it in others ways.

Remember to change your covering letter for each job to which you apply so that it remains pertinent and strong. Note: organisations such as Cardiff Borough Council / Glamorgan County Council jobs and Cardiff University / Cardiff Sixth Form College jobs may not require covering letters as they have extensive online forms.

Best of luck with your job hunt.