How To Write Covering Letters In Business English Online
How To Write Covering Letters In Business English Online
Writing a covering letter in business English is a practical skill that can help leverage your career. It is your first opportunity to demonstrate your ability to articulate and communicate.
Some job applicants treat cover letters as a formality. In reality, they are the first opportunity for you to leave an impression in the minds of recruiters.
Bear in mind that some recruiters receive scores of applications for advertised jobs. Recruitment agencies will receive hundreds of applications a week.
Most cover letters will be skimmed through and the names of applicants will not be registered. So why not write a cover letter in business English that will stand out at first glance.
Our online business English courses will teach you everything you need to know about writing a cover letter that grabs attention.
Business English Cover Letters
If you’re applying for a position with an International company, using business English demonstrates you have a good grasp of the language. It’s worth noting that the proper use of business English differs from standard English.
In addition, business English is not solely about being polite and using sophisticated language. It should communicate well. A cover letter should be easy to read, not sound like a legal document.
Keep your cover letter to a maximum of four short paragraphs. If you’re applying for a job online, convert the cover letter to a PDF file so formatting stays the same regardless of the type of device the recipient is using.
When you’re applying for a job, it’s okay to be personal rather than informal. Adding a personal touch does not include being too formal though. Your cover letter should evoke professionalism and respect.
For example, if you have a name for the recruiter – let’s say, Daniel Jones – address your cover letter with Dear Mr Jones. Not Dear Daniel.
If the recruiter is female, use the prefix, Ms Jones. Not Miss Jones or Mrs Jones.
In instances where you don’t have a name, address the letter with “Dear Sir/Madam”. It is not the proper use of business English to use Dear Sir or Madam or “To whoever it may concern.”
The purpose of a cover letter that is designed to stand out should show your enthusiasm and position you as a motivated and ambitious individual.
Do not discuss your most relevant experience, specific qualifications and skills that make you the perfect candidate in your cover letter. This is what everybody else will do.
To grab the attention your cover letter should explain why you want this job and how much you admire the company. Refer to your CV to identify you have the skills and qualifications needed for the job.
Professional recruitment agencies recommend signing off cover letters with “Yours sincerely” if you know the name of the recruiter (Mr Jones) and “Yours faithfully” when the letter is addressed as Dear Sir/Madam.
Using Business English in Cover Letters
Any type of writing is more powerful when you use an active voice rather than a passive voice. The active voice puts the name of the person or company making the action first.
The Oxford Reference explains:
“Despite a generalized view, a superstition almost, among some editors that the passive voice is to be avoided under any circumstances, it supplies a useful means of achieving a different focus on an event from that provided by the active voice.”
Also, avoid using contractions. Use “I am” rather than “I’m” or “it is” rather than “it’s”.
So to wrap up everything we’ve discussed above in an opening sentence, you could write:
Dear Ms Jones
I was very enthused to note your advertisement for the role of [job title] in the [name of website or publication you saw the job ad]. It is my ambition to work for a top-tier company with a first-class reputation like [name of the company you are applying to].
Online Business English Courses in Vienna
English 4 Professionals tailor our online business English courses to suit your needs. Whether you want to write a professional cover letter, prepare a CV or practice speaking business English ahead of an interview, our native English teachers will ensure you are in a position of strength.
Contact us today and refine your business English online.
