How To: Write a Cover Letter
How To: Write a Cover Letter
What is a cover letter and why is it important?
A cover letter is a document, no longer than a page, that you may submit as part of your job application. This is additional to your CV.
This gives you the chance to briefly introduce yourself and summarise your professional background.
On average, a cover letter should be 250 – 400 words long.
How to write a good cover letter?
Before writing your cover letter, we recommend that you do some research on the company and the job role itself.
As mentioned earlier, a cover letter is additional to your CV so you should try not to repeat what is already on your CV.
Step 1: Start the cover letter with a header
It’s important to start your cover letter with your contact information. Ensure that your contact information is correct! There’s been many occasions where we have tried to contact a candidate and their details are wrong, so they end up missing out on a job!
Step 2: Opening paragraph
In the opening paragraph, you should state why you are writing the clover letter. You should include:
- What job you are applying for
- Where you found the job advertised
- When you’re available to start (do you have a notice period?)
Step 3: Second paragraph
In the second paragraph you should explain your strengths and how they could benefit the company and highlight your relevant experience to show how your skills match the specific requirements of the job description.
Step 4: Third Paragraph
In the third paragraph you should cover why you think you are suitable for the role. Also mention why you are interested in working for this company and what you could offer them. This is where your research comes in handy as it’s a good chance to prove what you know about the company so far.
Step 4: Closing paragraph
Use the final paragraph to summarise your letter. Reiterate your interest in the role.
Step 5: Sign off professionally
‘Kind Regards
John Doe’
Check out our other ‘How To’ articles
How To: Deal with Job Rejection
Rejection from a job can cause a dent in your confidence. People often view rejection as failure however, we think that you should view it as an opportunity to build on your skills and eventually, find a job that suits you.
It’s not just happening to you
Looking for jobs is tough, especially in the current job market. Remember, there’s so many factors out of your control – for example, the company may be looking for a specific person to fill the gap in their team. Everyone at one point in their carer gets rejected from a job role.
Ask for feedback
Once you have received the rejection, email the company, say thank you for their time and ask for feedback. Getting feedback on your CV, interview technique or even your experience can help you prepare for you next interview.
Stay positive
It’s totally normal to feel down after being rejected from a job. Keep yourself positive by doing things that you enjoy outside of work. This could be meeting up with friends, going on a walk, reading a new book, spending time on your hobbies, or exercising.
Keep your options open
Remember this is not the last job that you will ever interview for! There are other companies and jobs available so don’t get your heart set on one certain job.
My Time at Igloo
I had been in hospitality since leaving University, I was part of the management teams for the Harvester Restaurant brand as well as for the Spirit pub company. I wanted a change and it came by chance when I had a conversation with a manager of a company called HIT Training, they were a training provider to the hospitality industry. Unfortunately, this was not the right career move and less than a year later I knew I needed to find something else.
I remember reading the advert and applying for the Trainee Recruitment Consultant at Igloo and I was invited to give a 15-minute presentation to the two Directors at Igloo’s Head Office in Hinckley. Although very nervous I enjoyed the experience, and I was invited to a second interview with the two Directors and the companies Operations Manager. It was very icy when I pulled up in the car park, I had shoes on and within a yard or two I slipped over, as I looked up I could see the people I was due to meet with laughing, not the best start to the interview, however we all had a laugh about it and the final words from them was to take care in the car park. Needless to say, I slipped over again on my way back to the car much to everyone’s amusement at the time and still to this day. I am not sure if it was my presentation, the way I came across in my second interview or the fact they felt sorry for me for slipping over not once but twice in the car park, but I got the call and a job offer which I accepted straight away.
A month later, the 25th of February 2013 I started at Igloo, there was about 6 of us that all started in the same role that week and we were put straight onto a week’s training course which gave us the confidence and the skills to succeed in our new careers.
Once the training was out of the way we cut our teeth for the first few months making cold sales calls to companies within the sectors Igloo specialise in, we had to generate our own leads as well as using the companies’ databases to call through.
After a few months I joined the automotive recruitment team and started to recruitment for skilled automotive staff. I was given full support and training so I could understand exactly what I was recruiting for, and the skill sets involved. I was taken to sites and shown around, I saw first-hand how a bodyshop operates and got to speak to staff in all areas of the business and built my knowledge of the industry from there. I would complete site visits to have meetings with our client’s management teams, as well as our teams working for us. We would share the 24/7 emergency phone between the team to deal with any emergencies or problems outside of the usual office hours.
In 2017 I migrated away from the recruitment side of the business and was responsible for the installation of a biometric clocking in and out system across our clients’ sites and the setup of rules in the back end of the system. From here my role at Igloo evolved and a compliance and business support team were built providing crucial support to the operations teams within Igloo. Since the birth of the compliance and business support team we have had two very successful inspections from the Government’s Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, the last inspector stated that Igloo go above and beyond with their compliance and that it was one of the best inspections he had done.
Within my role and the compliance and business support teams remit we also place all adverts and receive all the ad response to distribute to the relevant teams, we report on this data to the director and senior managers in the business. We also manage the social media platforms for the business and parts of the website content. I have also supported with office moves and setting up IT equipment for colleagues to work on and with.
Registration Process
We often get questions regarding our application process so thought it would be best to answer them all in one go.
What happens after I register my interest and/or apply for a role with Igloo?
After you have registered your interest with us, our experienced consultants will sort through all the applications that we have received. Where possible, everyone will be contacted to go through the interview process.
If we feel that you are not suitable for this specific role, we will try to find you something more suitable elsewhere.
If we believe that you are suitable, you will be asked to complete our application process and send in your identification (ID) and references. Once you have completed this process, we will put you forwards to our client.
What is a ‘proof of right to work’?
A ‘proof of right to work’ is documentation that proves that you are legal to work in the UK. Everyone will have to provide this, even if you are a British citizen.
What references do I need?
We ask for two references from your previous employers. We will ask for you to provide either their contact number or email address and we will contact them from there.
I’m not too sure what job I want, can you help me?
Of course! We are here to help make your job search process the easiest that it could be. We will go through your work history and find a job suitable for you.
I already have a job but I’m looking for some extra work, can I still apply?
Yes!
Once I have completed your registration process, how long is it before I can work?
We will work to get you started ASAP!
Mental Health In The Workplace
To close off Mental Health Awareness Week, we thought we would touch on mental health in the workplace.
According to Mind, ‘at least one in six workers is experiencing common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression’.
Here’s our 5 tips:
Work smarter, not harder
We understand that we sometimes have to work overtime to meet a deadline, however, don’t make this a regular occurrence. Working overtime constantly will start to take a toll on your concentration, productivity, accuracy, and health.
Don’t mix business with pleasure
If you bring your work home, we recommend designating a ‘workplace’ area to separate your work life from your personal life. If you see work, you will think about work.
Get organised
At the start of each day, create a ‘To Do’ list of tasks that need completing.
Take your lunch break
Breaks are important! Even a short break of 30 minutes can help you work more effectively throughout the day.
Check out our article, How To: Make the Most of Your Lunch Break
Ask for help
If you feel that your workload it too much, speak to your manager or supervisor. If you are unable to solve the issue this way, talk to your HR department, trade union representative or other relevant members of staff.
Read our other articles on mental health:
To speak to someone at Mind, CLICK HERE.
To make a donation to Mind, CLICK HERE.
Mental Health Awareness Week
‘Mental Health Foundation announces, ‘loneliness’ as the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022’.
Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place from 9th – 15th May 2022.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, research has found that loneliness has been amplified by the COVID pandemic. As a result of this, loneliness is a fitting theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week. ‘Reducing loneliness is a major step towards a mentally healthy society’.
‘Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “Loneliness is affecting more and more of us in the UK and has had a huge impact on our physical and mental health during the pandemic. That is why we have chosen it as our theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022. Our connection to other people and our community is fundamental to protecting our mental health so we much find better ways of tackling the epidemic of loneliness. We can all play a part in this. The week is also an invaluable opportunity for people to talk about all aspects of mental health, with a focus on providing help and advice’’.’
To find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week, CLICK HERE.
To get help, CLICK HERE.
To make a donation to Mind, CLICK HERE.
How To: Contact Us
Here at Igloo, there’s more than just one way to contact us. So, if you’re running low on minutes or don’t have social media, then we can still talk!
Landline:
01455 891 358
Opt 1 – Automotive
Opt 2 – Transport
Mobile Phones: (WhatsApp available)
Automotive – 07809 890 419
Transport – 07920 499 699
Payroll – 07764 805 986
Highway Code Updates 2022
Highway Code updates are coming into effect from January 29th, 2022, however, there’s fears that this will ‘increase road rage incidents’, ‘accidents’ and ‘dangerous confusion’ as not enough has been done to make people aware of the changes.
What are the new Highway Code changes?
Drivers will have more responsibility to keep an eye out for people cycling, walking and riding a horse. Cyclists will have more responsibility to be aware of any pedestrians.
When drivers are turning into a road, they are required to give way to pedestrians waiting to cross.
Cars must leave at least 1.5 meters room when passing cyclists below 30mph however, if you are doing over 30mph then you should leave 2 meters distance.
Cyclists are encouraged to ride in the middle of the road and if there’s a cycle lane, they are not obliged to use it.
Guidance says, ‘it can be safer for cyclists to ride two abreast’.
Q&A - Drivers (Case 2)
We have asked our workers a few questions about the roles that they are in so you can hear their experiences and advice first-hand.
What is your job role?
My job role is HGV driver.
What made you want to drive professionally?
I wanted to drive professional initially to support my race mechanics job, though then found I liked the road trips more, this then followed on the general to general haulage.
How long have you been driving professionally?
I have held my class one 1st April 1991.
What skills have you learnt from being a driver?
Skills learnt have been route planning, maintenance checks, road awareness and consideration, legalities.
Do you drive locally or is it mostly long distance?
I drive the UK, local and longer distances, all over Europe with motor racing events.
How do you combat tiredness?
Tiredness is a continual problem for most drivers, it is most important to take regular breaks particularly daily rests and drink plenty of fluids, cold water helps.
What are your driver essentials?
Essentials apart from carrying your licence’s and PPE are’ clear clean mirrors, window screens and glasses/ sun glasses, (all about good vision).
What are the best parts about being a driver?
Being a driver means you have you own freedom without others looking over your shoulder.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking at starting a career in driving?
Don’t do it (ha ha). Go out with someone who’s been driving for a while and listen out for their experience’s, get proper training from a reputable company with lots of experience. Don’t take short cuts in procedures (stick to a regular pattern coupling).
A Guide: Automotive Job Roles
There are a variety of job roles that make up the Automotive sector. These roles give the right candidates an excellent opportunity to work within a busy, modern and well equipped automotive Bodyshop. This includes but is not limited to:
Panel Beater
Panel beaters will be undertaking all aspects of panel repairs from light filler repairs through to reshaping panels ensuring the repairs are finished in a way that matches the rest of the vehicle’s bodywork. There is potential that you will need your own tools including dollies and hammers for this role.
Technician/Mechanic
As a technician you will be working on but not limited to servicing vehicles, clutch changes, checking cam belts, gear boxes, oil changes, break fluids, changing break discs, strip and fit, tyre changes and diagnostics. Occasionally, you will need your own tools however, this is not always the case.
Qualifications are often a requirement of the job role however, some companies will happily take you on if you are time served.
Click here to read our article on How To: Become a Mechanic
Prepper
A prepper will need to prepare the vehicle body for repair work and/or painting. Some of the responsibilities may involve removing all dirt from the surface and the parts due for paining, fine line filler work, sanding and masking. Aspects of this position involve being able to pay attention to detail whilst adhering to health and safety regulations. Depending on your experience you may also be required to undertake small filler repairs and prime the vehicles ready for paint.
Becoming a prepper is a great way to get your foot in the door for your Bodyshop carer as you can choose to become a painter, technician estimator, etc…
Painter
Vehicle Painters are also known as paint technicians or motor vehicle finishers.
As an automotive painter you will need to prepare your equipment and the body of the car. Vehicle Paint Sprayers are required to carry out the preparation on the vehicles by buffing, polishing and priming surfaces before spray painting. You might need to mix paints to get the right colour and consistency. You could be using water-based paints to spray the different body parts specified. You’ll also need to ensure there is no damage to the vehicle.
Polisher
A Vehicle Polisher will be responsible for the final polish of freshly painted vehicle panels on a range of vehicles. You will be rectifying any paint defects, such as runs in the paint. You will be polishing vehicle panels using a handheld polisher.
Masker
Maskers will be responsible for the masking and outlining vehicle panels as well as completing final preparation work on the vehicles prior to them being painted.
Trimmer
Vehicle trimmers will be responsible for ensuring any parts or panels that need to be removed as part of the repair process are removed correctly with all fixings being labelled and stored ready for when they are needed to be refitted to the vehicles. You will be removing interior and exterior parts from vehicles.
Before being able to do one of these roles you need to ensure that you have a great CV with all of the relevant details included.