On Tuesday 30th April 2024, Unitemps hosted a brand new webinar ‘How to write a standout cover letter’. During the 45-minute webinar, Gill Frigerio, Amy Blenkiron, and Keith Kilgore shared how to write a cover letter that stands out to help you progress to the interview stage of the job application. During the event, 373 attendees tuned in to listen to the panel’s expert advice and asked plenty of questions throughout the session. Check out the full webinar recording or an overview of the questions covered below:
1. What is the point of a cover letter? As we’ve got a modern approach to job applications now, are cover letters still an effective tool or are there alternative approaches gaining traction?
A recruiter doesn’t get to meet you and chat with you to find out all the information that they need to know, explains Amy Blenkiron. Watch the video clip to learn how hiring managers use your CV and cover letter to assess whether you can do the job that you’ve applied for and how it provides you with an additional opportunity to convince the employer why they should hire you.
2. Can you explain the link between a cover letter and a CV? How do you decide what scenarios and experiences to write in a CV and what to leave for a cover letter?
Since the cover letter is read before a CV, Kieth Kilgore shares the importance of showing you’ve done your research on the organisation and expressing how you’re the perfect fit for the role. Listen to Keith’s advice as he calls the cover letter “a letter of motivation” and provides questions to help you write out your cover letter.
3. What makes a good cover letter? Do you have any tips on the size, format, length and order of a cover letter?
From keeping your cover letter to one side of A4, sticking to a business format, to ensuring you’ve tailored it to the role you’re applying for, Keith Kilgore breaks down the details and each sections your cover letter should contain. Watch the clip.
4. What are your thoughts about templates and sample sentences?
Have you thought about using templates and AI for writing your cover letter? Amy Blenkiron expresses her reasons why you should avoid using templates and AI and only use them as a guide and for ideas. Listen to Amy’s full thoughts.
5. Are there any software/platforms that are best for creating a cover letter?
Listen to Amy Blenkiron discuss the use of AI software that can help you to improve and provide feedback on your already written cover letter and how university career services are a great contact point for resources and support.
6. Is there a way to write a cover letter for unadvertised positions?
Do you have a company in mind that you’d like to work for but there are no current available vacancies? Discover Keith Kilgore’s advice on how to write a cover letter expressing interest in an organisation rather than a particular job to gain further opportunities.
7. How do I tailor a cover letter that is suitable for multiple job applications? Do we need to make different cover letters for all the organisations we are applying for? How much time should you spend on your application preparation?
It’s all about quality over quantity reveals, Amy Blenkiron. Find out what both Amy and Keith Kilgore have to say about doing fewer but more tailored cover letters as well as, how long it may take you to complete your application.
8. Extra questions
What is the ideal length of a cover letter? Do you send a cover letter as a separate attachment in an email? Check out the Q&A part of the webinar where the panel answered extra questions submitted live on the day by the audience.
8. The do’s and don’ts of writing a cover letter
Watch Amy Blenkiron go over the don’ts and Keith Kilgore expressing the do’s of writing a cover letter.
View the full webinar recording to watch the summary of the main points or browse the Unitemps career advice section for more cover letter advice. You can also watch our previous webinar on ‘How to write a standout CV’.
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The panel:
Gill Frigerio (panel chair), Associate Professor in Career Studies and Coaching at the University of Warwick
Dr Gill Frigerio is a former career development practitioner and manager who now leads a team of experts who run postgraduate programmes for career coaches in the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Warwick. She is the chair of NICEC, the learned society for career development scholarship, policy and practice.
Amy Blenkiron, Careers Consultant (International) at the University of Salford
Amy has been a Careers Consultant and adviser for over 10 years, working in different universities, with her current role at the University of Salford. Her passion is for social mobility and supporting people to succeed (however they define success).
Keith Kilgore, Careers Consultant at Heriot-Watt University
Keith is a Higher Education Careers Consultant with over 30 years experience in supporting students, graduates, researchers and employer/industry partners. He provides professional careers consultancy, advice and guidance, making and developing links between industry, the University and it’s graduating students. Keith has also worked in educational policy leading a strategic review of education and training provision in Sussex.
Last updated on 17 May 2024
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