Careers Resources

Careers Resources

Covering letters

Covering letter format

This format shows you the layout and gives you some guidance on the content of a covering letter for the UK.

Job Application Advice including Power Words (AGCAS)

This document contains useful information on how to complete application forms effectively. There is advice on: demonstrating evidence of the skills employers are looking for, answering common questions, writing personal statements, analysing adverts to match your skills to the job specification and using power words to emphasise your suitability for the job.

Top 10 Tips for Writing Covering Letters

This helpful guide for structuring and composing an effective covering letter is taken from the career development section of the jobs.ac.uk website.

Write it Right

A practical guide to the basic skills of effective writing. As well as providing advice on writing job applications, there are also useful tips on sentence structure, grammar and punctuation.

  • Author: John Peck and Martin Coyle

This book is available to borrow from the Sir Duncan Rice Library. Please check the library catalogue for details.

How to Write a Cover Letter for Academic Jobs (jobs.ac.uk)

An article with tips and examples to create the perfect cover letter for academic jobs. This includes a section on tailoring your letter, marketing yourself effectively & a really useful 'before and after' example with critique.

How to Write a Cover Letter for Management and Administration Jobs (jobs.ac.uk)

An article with tips and examples to create the perfect cover letter for management and administration jobs in universities and other sectors. This includes a section on tailoring your letter, marketing yourself effectively & a really useful 'before and after' example with critique.

Mini Career Course: Effective CVs and covering letters

This mini online career course is designed to prepare you for writing targeted CVs and covering letters, highlighting key resources to help you.