General advice – Writing a CV cover letter

It's important to have an up-to-date version of your curriculum vitae (CV). What's more, you will need a different version of your CV and cover letter for each position that you apply for. Each CV should closely match the description and requirements of the job that you are applying for. Writing a CV will help you to organise and record your work skills and experiences. This will be useful for when you do job interviews, too. Before you adapt your CV, it is important to do some research into the organisation or company you wish to join and the job that you are applying for. This will allow you to go into the job interview as well-prepared as possible.

The following are questions that you could try to answer before you compile your CV or go for an interview.

• What exactly does the company or organisation do?
• What is special about this company or organisation? How is it different from its competitors?
• Who are its customers, target clients or users?
• What is the history of the company or organisation? How has it changed since its beginnings?
• Does the company or organisation have a slogan or professional mission? What does it pride itself in: service, innovation, efficiency, sustainability ...?

In view of these conclusions, I would like to make following recommendations: Firstly, the most satisfactory service for students would be one that starts at 7 a.m. and runs until 10 p.m. Secondly, the service would have a frequency of every 15 minutes, leaving from Library Square and following Route B, terminating at the East Point ferry terminal. Furthermore, increased parking restrictions, an efficient ticketing system, and passenger comfort could be seen as key factors in ensuring a high level of use of the service by students. Finally, I hope that you find the information in this report useful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further enquiries or require additional information. Regards, Jim Chiu

Getting ready
It's important to have an up-to-date version of your curriculum vitae (CV). What's more, you will need a different version of your CV and cover letter for each position that you apply for. Each CV should closely match the description and requirements of the job that you are applying for. Writing a CV will help you to organise and record your work skills and experiences. This will be useful for when you do job interviews, too.

Before you adapt your CV, it is important to do some research into the organisation or company you wish to join and the job that you are applying for. This will allow you to go into the job interview as well-prepared as possible.

The company
The following are questions that you could try to answer before you compile your CV or go for an interview.
• What exactly does the company or organisation do?
• What is special about this company or organisation? How is it different from its competitors?
• Who are its customers, target clients or users?
• What is the history of the company or organisation? How has it changed since its beginnings?
• Does the company or organisation have a slogan or professional mission? What does it pride itself in: service, innovation, efficiency, sustainability ...?

The job
Make sure that you read the job description carefully. Highlight the key qualifications, skills and requirements. Be ready to demonstrate which of these you have.

The application process
Find out the name of the person in charge of the department you would like to be working in. You can do this by phoning the human resources department. Think of any contacts you may have in the company who could help you with information or recommendations.

Recommendations
In view of these conclusions, I would like to make following recommendations:

Firstly, the most satisfactory service for students would be one that starts at 7 a.m. and runs until 10 p.m. Secondly, the service would have a frequency of every 15 minutes, leaving from Library Square and following Route B, terminating at the East Point ferry terminal. Furthermore, increased parking restrictions, an efficient ticketing system, and passenger comfort could be seen as key factors in ensuring a high level of use of the service by students.

Finally, I hope that you find the information in this report useful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further enquiries or require additional information.

Regards,

Jim Chiu