When you start applying for jobs, you quickly realise that including a cover letter with your CV is a excellent way to stand out. But what should your cover letter focus on?
Should it emphasise your key achievements or simply list your responsibilities? And how can you effectively demonstrate that you're the ideal fit for the role?
One of the most common mistakes candidates make is either underselling themselves or overstating their experience.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to craft a compelling cover letter by showcasing your most significant professional achievement and telling the story behind it.
Security Officer cover letter example
Charlotte Powell
Southampton
+44 1234 567890
help@enhancv.com
- Highlighting Leadership: The cover letter effectively emphasizes leadership skills by discussing the management of a 20-person team, which is crucial for a managerial role like Guest Relations Manager.
- Focus on Results: Mentioning a 30% improvement in guest service ratings demonstrates a quantifiable achievement, showcasing the candidate's impact and ability to drive positive change.
- Emphasizing Collaboration: The letter highlights the ability to work seamlessly with security teams, illustrating the candidate's teamwork skills and adaptability, both of which are essential in a guest relations context.
- Alignment with Organizational Goals: The candidate connects their personal accomplishments and aspirations with the company's commitment to innovative solutions, showing an understanding of the organization's values and culture.
Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom
Cover letters are a crucial part of your application, offering additional details beyond your CV.
Here’s why they’re essential:
- Supporting your CV: Now's your opportunity to provide some context for your experience, with more information on your key achievements and how your profile could benefit the position and organisation to which you're applying.
- Showcases your character: Taking the time to write a cover letter demonstrates that you’re proactive, organised, ambitious, and genuinely interested in the role.
- Reflects your career goals: Use the cover letter to outline your long-term career career aspirations and how this role aligns with your broader plans.
What UK employers expect from a cover letter
Your UK employers will appreciate your application if you've taken the effort to tailor your cover letter to their job requirements.
Here’s how to ensure yours ticks all the right boxes:
- Research the company thoroughly: It's not enough to have only read the job advert. Look into the company's history, products, services, and recent achievements to demonstrate your genuine interest and knowledge.
- Connect with the company’s values: Every company has core principles that shape its culture and operations. Identify these values and use your cover letter to show how they align with your professional conduct and ethics.
- Emphasise your relevant skills: Highlight specific skills that match the job description and are most in demand. Use examples from your previous experience to support your claims and set yourself apart from other candidates.
How to format a security officer cover letter
To get your cover letter's formatting right:
- Use a modern font like Lato, Raleway, or Chivo, rather than the overused Arial or Times New Roman.
- Set your cover letter to be single-spaced with 1-inch (2.5 cm) margins on all sides—our templates are automatically set up for you.
- Ensure both your CV and cover letter are consistent in font style and formatting.
- Always send your cover letter as a PDF to prevent alterations and preserve its layout.
When it comes to structuring your cover letter, follow this sequence: begin with your address and contact details, then the employer's details (i.e. name and address), and the date. Next, start with a personalised greeting, followed by your introductory, body, and closing paragraphs. Be sure to include a sign-off and your signature at the end.
Remember, although Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software, which may scan your CV for keywords, won't read your cover letter, it will be reviewed by recruiters.
How to write your security officer cover letter salutation
First impressions often start with the greeting and in the case of your job application, 'Dear Sir or Madam' simply won't suffice.
Find out who’s hiring for the role—by calling or emailing the company, searching online, or using LinkedIn—and address them correctly.
Generally, you should address them by their surname (e.g., 'Dear Mrs Weasley'), but if you've spoken to them before, you might use their first name (e.g., 'Dear Albus').
How to write your security officer cover letter intro
While your cover letter should remain professional, adding a touch of personality or humour can make you stand out.
Hiring managers sift through countless applications, day in and day out. Anything unique or personable that grabs their attention could give you a competitive edge.
But do your homework first to ensure a dash of creativity would be appropriate and suitable to the company culture.
How to write your security officer cover letter body
You’ve personalised your greeting and introduction—now it’s time to focus on writing the body of your cover letter.
Instead of listing off skills and responsibilities from your CV, focus on one career highlight that’s relevant to the role.
Use your hard and soft skills, success metrics (e.g., percentages or sales figures), and the long-term impact it had on the company.
A concise, well-told story centred on your value as a candidate will make a strong impression.
How to write a closing paragraph
There’s a wrong and a right way to close your cover letter. Here’s how.
The wrong way is to end with a signature or a formal 'Thank you in advance.'
The right way is to either promise how you’d make a positive impact on the company or ask when you can expect a response. This will highlight you as a forward-thinking candidate who’s enthusiastic about securing the role.
Conclusion
Creating a compelling cover letter is vital in making a positive first impression on potential employers. Personalise your letter by addressing the hiring manager directly and ensuring your skills align with the job description.
Highlight specific achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the role, and express genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity. Finally, maintain a professional format that complements your CV for a cohesive application.
