CGC Ebook 5.0

4. Keep it short and simple • Employers will receive large numbers of cover letters so you need to ensure that yours is short, concise and to the point. • You don’t need to use sophisticated language or draw out your sentences. Keep your language simple and be clear about what it is your trying to say. • Write a few sentences for every point you want to make. Don’t waffle on. • It should be scannable. It needs to be short enough for someone to read quickly. • Your cover letter should not exceed 1 A4 page. • Ideally it should be 3 – 4 paragraphs of between 200 – 400 words 5. Use your STAR stories • Your STAR stories are real-life examples where you have showcased key qualities and aptitudes which make you the ideal candidate for the job.

• They should all follow the STAR method: i. Situation: set the scene ii. Task: describe the task and what the goal was iii. Action: explain the actions you took to resolve the problem and achieve your goal iv. Result: reveal the consequences of your actions • Refer to these examples to highlight your strengths and competencies. • For example, one could be about hosting a party, and you could talk about your organisational skills and ability to juggle various tasks at once. • Try creating 3 to 4 STAR stories which you can keep at the forefront of your mind and use during interviews or in cover letters. • These will show your employer that you don’t just look good on paper, you also have the practical skills and aptitudes to back it up.