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How to write the perfect cover letter, by miraclyn rubavathi, 19 october 2021 - 5:30pm.

cover letter bbc learning english

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter also referred to as a covering letter or an application letter is an important document most organisations ask for along with a job application. It helps boost your resume which by itself might not be sufficient for a recruiter to get to know you. 

Although not all recruiters demand a cover letter, including a cover letter along with your resume is good practice, as many recruiters go through cover letters to shortlist candidates for the interview. A well-written cover letter can create a good first impression and make you stand out from other applicants.

What is difference between a cover letter and a resume?

Your resume is not your cover letter. Consider a resume like a menu in a restaurant. A menu provides a list of all the items available in the restaurant. Similarly, a resume is a list of your work-related skill sets and experience. A resume focuses on facts like your educational qualifications, work experience, skills, achievements, etc. However, a cover letter focuses on the job that you’re applying for and how you fit in that role. It is a chance for you to explain to the recruiters how you can use your professional skills and experience to excel in the new role that you’re applying for. 

What is the purpose of a cover letter?

Not only does a cover letter give more insights about you to the hiring manager but it is also a vital element in getting you the interview. Most job seekers spend a lot of time perfecting their resume but don’t put so much thought into writing a proper cover letter.  It’s important that the cover letter includes information about why you are suitable for that specific role, which helps show the recruiter that you have put some thought into the job application. 

What should be included in a cover letter?

There are several key components in a cover letter, mentioned below. It may seem like a very time-consuming process to write a cover letter but it is essential and your letter must be specific to every job that you apply for, as it shows how serious you are about the job you’re applying for. 

  • Name, address, contact information and date
  • Opening statement
  • Your knowledge of the company and the position you’re applying for and your interest in working for this particular company
  • Your background
  • Your professional skills and experience that matches the job description along with examples
  • Highlighting why you’re the right fit for the job

Here’s a sample cover letter.

How should you write a cover letter?

Writing a cover letter only involves a few simple steps. If you know how to write them yourself, you can showcase your unique skills and experience to the recruiter which increases your chances of you getting hired. 

A cover letter, like all other formal documents, has three parts, a beginning, a middle and an end. Let’s look at what goes into each of these parts and what kind of phrases to use when writing one.

In the past, cover letters were sent through post or submitted in person. Hence, they included addresses. However, nowadays as cover letters are submitted through an online job portal or via emails, physical addresses are no longer necessary. So, you can skip the address if you are sending your letter electronically.

Starting to write a cover letter can be very intimidating especially if you’ve never done it before. All you need to do is try and be authentic and original. Here are some tips on what to say, how to say and how not to say it in your cover letter along with example phrases:

Nowadays, companies are not just looking for people with skills, they also want someone whose values align with theirs. You can bring in your personality to the letter by talking about your passion, beliefs, values, and ethics. It’s also a great opportunity to show them how hiring you would be mutually beneficial for both parties. 

Do your research by going through the job description, roles and responsibilities, code of conduct and any other information you can get hold of about the organisation, either from their website, mutual friends who work there or by checking with the HR manager.

You can also use bullet points or numbers in this section to highlight your achievements.

The end or the closing consists of three parts: call-to-action, thanking the reader, and signing off. The end is also an important part of the cover letter as sometimes inappropriate endings can throw people off. Make sure you’re polite and respectful even when you end your letter.

How long should your cover letter be?

Ideally a cover letter is a one-page document. You don’t need to write pages about all your skills and experience, as these details are already in your resume. So, don’t write an essay; keep it short, organise it into paragraphs and highlight how you are the best candidate for the job. 

Things to check before sending your letter

Remember, your cover letter is a fairly formal document. So, don’t use informal words, phrases, expressions or contractions like I’m, I’ve. Instead, use the full form: I am, I have. However, some companies are fine with semi-formal or neutral style and if you are sure, you can shift your tone to adapt to the organisation’s style. However, you shouldn’t write very informally. 

  • Errors Spelling errors, grammatical errors and typographical errors don’t make a good first impression. If you’re careless in your writing, there's a good chance that your hiring manager will think you do not have good communication skills or you make mistakes often. It also shows that you didn't proofread your document, which in turn shows how little of an effort you’ve put into writing and sending the letter. So, do proofread before sending your letter. It might be hard for us to proofread our own writing; we might miss out on checking or editing important details. Hence, it’s also good to use online tools or have a friend read it for you.

Dos and Don’ts

Let’s quickly recap a few important things to do and not to do in a cover letter.

It’s your turn

Yes, now it’s your turn to write your own cover letter. If you’re a job seeker, this is a good time to start practising writing cover letters by yourself. Even if you aren’t looking for a job at the moment, you can think of your dream job you and draft a letter for it. It will help you understand the position better, realise where you stand and help you improve your writing skills.

  • Learn how to write a cover letter or email to respond to a job advert.
  • For School students applying for an internship or voluntary work - Easy tips from British Council Teens to write a cover letter.

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Table of Contents

Cover letter for BBC(4 samples)

cover letter bbc learning english

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The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter.  The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.

This article will list samples of “cover letters for BBC.”

How to write a BBC cover letter

When applying for a position at BBC, your cover letter is an opportunity for you to tell your story, without being stuck in the formatting constraints of the BBC resume. The best format for writing a cover letter is as follows:

  • Address the employer with a formal salutation. For example, “Dear/Hello (name of the recipient).” If you do not know the recipient’s name, you can refer to them as the hiring manager.
  • The next step is to state the position you are applying for and how you found the opening. 
  • Make a brief statement about why you’re interested in the position. Write a paragraph about why you are the perfect candidate for the job.
  • State your skills and work experience. Ensure your skills and experiences are similar to the job position. When highlighting skills, provide the accomplishment you have achieved. 
  • Conclude your letter with a forward-looking statement. For example, “I look forward to discussing the position further.”

“POSITION: reporter

As a cultural anthropology major, I am trained to approach nuanced problems with analytic detail, intellectual acuity and critical thinking. Two facts best exemplify the aforementioned statement: I was named as a 2015 Dean’s Scholar two months ago, an honor that is presented annually to 9 [out of 10,000] undergraduates “who exhibit exceptional academic performance and intellectual promise,” and was just inducted to the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society as a junior, an award that is only bestowed to 20 juniors out of each class. Majoring in cultural anthropology has also equipped me with robust interpersonal, analytical and research skills that I will apply practically to provide the Capital team with ample support. I am no stranger to formal writing as I have authored successful research grants from the Wenner-Gren Foundation and the National Science Foundation. My editorial experience involves extensive editing of published chapters and essays in academic journals such as Current Anthropology and The Lancet. 

Last but not least, teamwork has been central to my involvement in student organizations. Placing an emphasis on building collaborative relationships has enabled me to work well on the board of the student group, Penn Sangam. As Political Chair, I worked to engender successful events that explore the challenges of minority owned start-ups. I am confident that my coursework at Penn coupled with the skills and experiences I have gained through my extra-curricular activities will help me to be an efficient and people-driven member of BBC.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.”

“Madelynn Wilkinson

City, State, Zip Code

Home : 000-000-0000 Cell: 000-000-0000

[email protected]

Dear Ms. Sanchez,

I am writing to apply for the News Reporter with BBC. I am a communications professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and six years of newspaper reporting experience. In my current position as News Reporter for The Courier News, I research interviews and write news stories that are relevant to the local community.

I am highly investigative and curious always looking to find the most unique or pertinent angle to a story. I am organized with an easy communication style that makes me a top-notch interviewer. I have a concise conversational writing style and can put together a piece quickly and efficiently with no errors. Past editors have praised my professional writing ability and talent for pulling all aspects of obtaining a story together. It would be my pleasure to bring these talents to the team at BBC as a News Reporter.

I have no doubt you will find my credentials and references to be in order as well as a good fit for the job. Please contact me soon to arrange an interview to review my portfolio and further discuss my qualifications. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Madelynn Wilkinson”

“Dear Ms. Rust:

When I learned of your need for a seasoned News Reporter to join your team at BBC, I was eager to submit the enclosed resume for your consideration. As a highly experienced, motivated, and detail-focused professional with more than 13 years of experience in television news production and coverage, I feel confident that I could vastly exceed your expectations for this role.

My background in researching ideas, investigating subjects, checking facts, and covering events prepares me to substantially impact and benefit KPWM. With my history of success in covering and producing news for television—along with my commitment to forging beneficial relationships to encourage future connections and stimulate story ideas—I am ready to extend my record of reporting accomplishments to your news team. Furthermore, my ability to excel in high-pressure environments with tight deadlines and irregular schedules is sure to render me an immediate asset.

Highlights of my experience include…

Achieving professional recognition and success as a News Reporter for WCSJ in Olympia, researching and gathering information for live shots and taped news reports; writing, recording, and editing stories for use on the air.

Conducting live on-camera interviews, producing weekend newscasts, and contributing to daily editorial meetings.

Writing breaking news stories for immediate upload and publication to WCSJ’s website and Facebook page.

Serving as a fill-in news anchor for morning, noon, and evening newscasts as requested.

Traveling extensively to cover events on site, ensuring a personal understanding and knowledge of event details, occurrences, and overall significance.

Developing trusting and lasting connections with peers, management teams, and community members to facilitate future partnerships and spark story and contact leads.

Demonstrating outstanding oral / written communication, time management, and team collaboration skills with a keen social perceptiveness.

Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Washington.

With my expertise in news production and reporting, combined with my exceptional interpersonal skills and my commitment to exploring innovative story ideas and comprehensive topic coverage, I am positioned to significantly benefit your news team at BBC. I look forward to discussing my qualifications in more detail. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Rebecca V. Thames”

“Dear Mr. Bob,

I hereby present my resume in regard to your advertisement online for the post of Reporter. I have been seeking just a position such as this to challenge me with a larger audience. I have therefore included my resume of experience and a couple of samples for your review.

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in English Journalism from Dartmouth College, 2005. I also have over five years working as a Reporter for New York Times in Saginaw, MI. From my days as an editor for my high school newspaper to my present role as key Reporter for my paper, I have had nothing but drive and dedication to articulate the truth to the public through careful and in-depth research and excellent writing skills. I grab attention and keep it. I am a skilled communicator, writer, and photographer; and bring very strong research and interpersonal skills to this position.

I look forward to meeting with you to see what you think of my work, as well as answering any questions on my background you may have. Call me at (555)-555-5555 to arrange a time to meet. Thanks so much for your time.

Your Signature

Keven Bruce

Enclosure: Resume”

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the common mistakes to avoid when writing my cover letter.

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid:

  • Don’t focus on yourself too much.
  • Don’t share all the details of every job you’ve had.
  • Don’t write a novel.

How do I write a cover letter for a news reporter position?

Business Analyst Cover Letters

  • Address your letter to the Hiring Manager by name.
  • Start with an attention-grabbing introduction.
  • Highlight your most relevant Business Analyst qualifications and experiences.
  • Emphasize your top successes.
  • Show enthusiasm for the role and company.

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