How to write a cover letter in English?
Whether it's for a job or studying abroad, it is very likely that you will be required to write a cover letter in English. Indeed, today, English is the most used language in the world of work and for international communication. But be careful, don't think that a cover letter in English is written in the same way as in French ! We explain all the differences in this article.
Don't know how to write a cover letter in French? No problem! We have put together the perfect guide to writing your cover letter.
The shape
Contact information
While the world traditionally writes the candidate's contact details at the top left of the letter, in the United Kingdom they place them at the top right. As a reminder, the contact details to be mentioned are, in order:
First Name Last Name
Address
Telephone
Email
As for the recruiter's contact information, it is usually in the top right, except in the UK, where it is in the top left. They are introduced by the little word " to ". Here is the order to follow :
To :
First Name Last Name
The Recruiter's Function
The name of the company
The company's address
The date
In an English cover letter, it is more common to place the date above the recruiter's contact information. But be careful, don't forget that in English the dates are not written the same way as in French ! Indeed, we first write the month (with a capital letter !), then the day (preceded by a comma), and finally the year. For example : April, 20th 2023
The purpose of the letter
After the contact details, a cover letter in English starts directly with the body of the letter.
However, if the company you are contacting is UK, the subject of your letter should appear in bold, after the header. It should be written as follows : "Subject : [intitulé du poste et source de l'annonce] ".
The content
The Introduction
To start a cover letter in English, the most suitable formula is : " Dear Mr. [nom de famille du recruteur] " or "Dear Mrs. [nom de famille de la recruteuse] ".
In the first paragraph, briefly introduce yourself . Explain your area of expertise, the job title (bold if you didn't put a subject line in your letter), and why you're applying.
" I was delighted to see your job offer for the position of [intitulé du poste]. As a [citez vos diplômes] graduate with X years of experience in the [secteur dans lequel vous avez travaillé], I think that it makes me an ideal candidate to handle the challenges of this job and bring value to your company. »
The body
For the second paragraph, you are led to highlight not only your technical skills (hard skills) but also your interpersonal skills (soft skills). Explain how they are relevant to the position. To do this, use concrete examples based on professional experience, internships, etc.
" I have X years of experience as a [poste auquel vous avez travaillé] and in this time I have been responsible for [quel était votre rôle]. This allowed me to acquire [compétences professionnelles acquises] qualities that will benefit your business and allow me to thrive in this position. »
In the third paragraph, it is necessary to explain the reasons why you want to join this firm and why it should choose you, and not someone else!
Do you have the same aspirations ? Are you a daily user of its products ? Do you know the company like no other?
" Working for your company would be a great opportunity for me as I strongly identify with your missions and commitments in [expliquer les missions et engagements de l’entreprise]."
" As an almost daily user of your products, I am particularly skilled in highlighting them to make your brand stand out to consumers."
Conclusion
To conclude your cover letter in English, you can quickly summarize your strengths, without repeating yourself, and indicate that you are available for an interview. Then, don't forget to end your letter with a polite greeting, such as " Thank you for your consideration " or " Sincerely ", and sign !
" I believe my X years of experience in [domaine dans lequel vous avez travaillé] will be a real asset. I would welcome the chance to further discuss the position and what skills I would bring to your team.
Thank you for your consideration,
[Prénom Nom] "
And there you have it, your cover letter is ready to be sent ! Are you short of vocabulary ? Don't panic ! Discover the useful English words and expressions for a cover letter. We wish you good luck on your adventure abroad ! 🌍
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