cover letter university of sheffield

Preparing your CV and Covering Letter

Developing your CV

Add value to your CV by taking part in extra-curricular activities and other types of work experience e.g. summer placements, part time jobs and the SURE scheme which are advertised via Career Connect.

Global Engineering Challenge & Engineering You're Hired are great ways to evidence to employers that you have experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams to solve real life engineering problems, can work to tight deadlines and present information to your peers.

BEng/BSc students: You have only your first year of study to enhance your CV and develop your employability skills before you start applying for placements at the start of year 2. Make the most of this year and the summer vacation to gain some experience!

The Engineering Year in Industry Team can review your CV:

The summer before you will be applying, you will be invited to have your CV reviewed. Look out for the email and have a draft of your CV ready to be submitted for review.

During term time Make an appointment with the team to have your CV reviewed (appointments are in person in the Employability Hub in the Heartspace building)

Think about the words you use on your CV and make them impactful. Refer to this document for some suggestions!

Have a look at sample CV's but remember your CV should be original and reflect your skills and experiences.

If you are not sure about what skills you currently have then the new mySkills App can help you reflect on the skills you already have and help you think about what skills you might need to develop.

Covering Letters

Typically accompanies your CV

Opportunity to express why you wish to work for the particular company / particular role

Expand on and evidence your relevant skills / knowledge / experience requested by the company

Normally no longer than 1 side of A4

Always tailored to a particular role

Book an appointment with the Year in Industry team to get your covering letter reviewed

Refer to the resources on the Careers Service website for more advice

CVs and Cover Letters

What is a CV?

A Curriculum Vitae, or a CV for short, is a summa ry of your previous education, experience and skills which intends to persuade an employer that you are the right for the position . 

Whether you’re interested in finding opportunities for work experience or wanting to apply for part or full-time employment, you will quite often be asked to send your CV to the employer. Remember, a CV may land you the interview , not necessarily the job!

There is no right or wrong way of writing a CV and there are three different types (shown below) . It will be unique to your application and your individual interests and experience. However, there are some common guidelines that you should follow to make sure that the information is presented clearly and is likely to be interesting and relevant to the person reading it. 

Chronological CVs

Chronological CVs usually show the activities you have done with a focus on what you have done and when. They are a record of the experience and learning you have done, displayed in reverse order. This is the most common of the CV types.

Skills-Based CVs

A skills-based CV is a good alternative for someone who does not have a lot of experience to explore. It has a focus on the skills you possess based on the things you might have done through your studies or personal life and what the employer is looking for.

Digital CVs

Digital CVs are a newer forms of CVs that you can use. This normally takes the form of a personal website or a Linkedin page, but it could also be a document you have designed. This can be helpful for creative roles - like these here .

What you will need to include:

Contact details - make sure they are up-to-date, you want employers to be able to contact you!

Personal profile - a quick introduction to who you are and what you're looking for to sell yourself to the employer, needed especially when you don't have a Cover Letter (see below).

Education/Qualifications - include a section for this, highlighting your achievements and grades. You can include pending qualifications onto this list.

Employment and Work Experience - give details of any experience (paid or unpaid) that you have done and the tasks that you had to complete. 

Volunteering and other interests - include any other relevant activities you have been involved with in your spare time to prepare you for work. This includes volunteering, sports and hobbies.

Skills, strengths and achievements - when describing your experiences, make sure that you highlight the relevant skills, strengths and achievements that you have demonstrated in each role.

References - you will normally need to provide the contact details of two references, these are people you have worked with professionally who can talk about you as a person - make sure to ask them first!

Before you submit your CV, have you checked...?

It is important that your CV has a clear and professional “look”. If you make a good first impression, the employer is more likely to read on and consider inviting you in for an interview. 

The standard length of a CV in the UK is one or two full pages, too long and the employer won't read it.

Try to use a clear and professional-looking font such as Arial or Calibri, sized between 10 and 12 point.

Should stand out from the rest of the text – consider using a different style, size or bold so that there is a clear distinction between the headings and main text.

Make sure that you proofread your CV carefully so that you pick up any spelling mistakes and inaccuracies.

The best CVs are tailored against the job application, using the job specification to create a relevant and engaging CV.

Using transferrable skills on your CV

TargetCareers- write a cracking CV

Writing a CV with no experience

No experience? Our advice on preparing for work

Learn more about CV tailoring here

What is a Cover Letter?

A Cover (or Covering) L etter is a letter that you send with your CV to introduce yourself and to explain briefly why you are the right person for the job you are applying for. It is your chance to make a good first impression and to persuade the employer to take a closer look at your CV. Therefore, it’s important to highlight what you can offer in terms of skills and any relevant previous experience.

The letter should generally be 3-4 paragraphs long, and no longer than a single page. If you’re sending your CV electronically, it can be put in the main body of the email or be sent as an attachment along with the CV.

What you need to include:

Clear l ayout - make sure that your present your Cover Letter with a formal layout by remembering to include your address (right-hand top corner), the company address (left-hand side), and the date in full (underneath your address)

Greeting - you should use a formal address i.e. if you know the person you are sending the application to, address them by title and name “Dear Mr/Ms Smith”. If unknown, you can use a general address such as “Dear Sir/Madam”

Sign-off - if you’ve used the person’s name at the beginning, use the sign-off “Yours sincerely”, or “Yours faithfully” if you’ve used a general greeting

Good grammar and spelling - make sure that you proofread your letter carefully so that you pick up any spelling mistakes and inaccuracies

Positivity - Be positive about why you are the perfect candidate, clearly highlighting how your skills and experience meet those detailed in the job description

Tailoring - make sure that you rewrite your Cover Letter every time you apply for a different position to show that you have a good understanding of the company and what they are looking for – it pays to show that you’ve made the effort to consider how you might fit in

Common Cover Letter Mistakes

Reed- Cover Letter Templates

Suggested Structure:

Paragraph 1 – Explain briefly why you are writing, the position that you are applying for and how you heard about the job e.g. on a website

Paragraph 2 – Explain and expand on why you are the right person for the role. Give examples from your CV of the skills and knowledge that you have developed and can contribute to the role/company. This should match closely with the job description and the skills the company are asking for

Paragraph 3 – You should show here your knowledge of the industry and the company and how you might fit in

Paragraph 4 – You should close positively by explaining that you look forward to hearing from them

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Futures First Essentials: CVs and Cover Letters

November 17, 2021 @ 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm.

Your CV and covering letter provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for the job for which you’re applying. Find out about what to include in your CV, ways of tailoring it to the role for which you’re applying and how to write a covering letter which completes the package you’re sending to potential employers.

SUMS-SR03 – Sheffield University Management School

All undergraduate and postgraduate students are welcome to attend.

Event Navigation

• « Futures First Essentials: Applications
• Futures First Essentials: Interviews »

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View your new Officers for 2024-25

• Advice And Support
• Undergraduate Student Funding
• Compelling Personal Reasons

Applying For Compelling Personal Reasons Funding

To apply for compelling personal reasons, you need to provide Student Finance with evidence for why you were unable to successfully complete a particular year of study or course (if you changed course).

You need to get a letter from your GP or other health professional if it is a medical reason, confirming that you suffered from xxx health issue in the year xxxx which significantly impacted your studies.

If your compelling personal reasons were something else and you are not sure what evidence to provide, please get in touch with us and we can advise you on this.

You then need to upload this evidence onto your online student finance account.

You can do a cover letter with this evidence, and we have provided a sample cover letter here which you can use. You can then upload your cover letter and evidence to your online student finance account ‘digital evidence’ uploads section for your application to be considered.

It will then get picked up by an assessor at SFE and depending on the time of year and timescales they are working at should get a response within a few weeks, and it is usually by email.

Student finance funding calculations and compelling personal reasons funding situations can become quite complex. If your situation does not fit the above or you are not sure about the letter or evidence, you can contact a money adviser at the Student Advice Centre to get advice on your individual situation.

Student Finance England

Dear Sir/Madam

Compelling Personal Reasons Funding 2021/22

Re: [your name]

CRN: [your student finance customer reference number]

I am writing to apply for compelling personal reasons funding for the 2021/22 academic year.

My previous study is as follows:

[Here you need to list the years you have done at this university and any other university, including years which you did not complete due to leave of absence]

• 2018/19 Level 1 BA History, University of Leeds
• 2019/20 Level 1 BSc Economic- University of Sheffield
• 2020/21 Level 2 BSc Economics- University of Sheffield
• 2021/22 Level 2 (repeat) BSc Economics- University of Sheffield

My calculation in terms of student finance entitlement for 2021/22 would be as follows:

3+1= 4-3 = 0 years funding remaining.

Therefore, I require compelling personal reasons funding for the repeat of year 2 in 2021/22.

In the 2020/21 academic year, I experienced significant personal and mental health issues that meant I was unable to successfully complete the year.

I enclose a letter from my GP confirming this.

I am writing to request that you use the discretion available to you to accept my compelling personal reasons affecting my studies in academic year of 2020/21 and award me full student support for 2021/22.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any additional information.

Yours faithfully,

[Your name]

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University Student Cover Letter Samples & Examples That Worked in 2024

Embarking on the career path, the first step to success is creating a compelling university student cover letter . This powerful tool can unlock doors to internships, jobs, and exciting opportunities within your field of study.

And so, in this guide, we'll equip you with useful tips, real-life examples, and compelling templates, that'll help you get closer to your dream job. Read on and learn about:

• Creating a visually appealing header for your university cover letter
• Researching employers to craft a personalized cover letter
• Writing a compelling introduction as a university student
• Showcasing your best skills and accomplishments as a university student
• Completing your university student cover letter with a strong conclusion
• Finding the best job search resources for university students

1. How to create a visually appealing header for your university cover letter

To begin writing your university student cover letter, your first key step is to create a header.

A cover letter header serves two main purposes: to introduce you to the employer and to give your cover letter an appealing visual structure .

Within your header, you should include:

• Your name and professional title (if you do not have a professional title yet, you can use the title of the job you are applying for and add “Student” at the end)
• Your professional contact information
• The name of the company or organization you are applying to

Here is an example of a well-formatted university student cover letter header

Mason Wilds , Hospitality Management Student (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/mason-wilds

To: Hilton Head Hotels 1234 Street Address New York, NY

2. How to personalize your university student cover letter

One crucial step to take before beginning to write the body text of your cover letter is to research the employer beforehand. This gives you the opportunity to learn more about them and uncover key details about the company that you can reference throughout your cover letter .

Important information to look for during your research includes:

• Major projects, partnerships, or programs the company is involved in
• The company’s goals, values, and requirements for staff
• The person at the company responsible for hiring and reviewing applications

Using the third piece of information, you can create a personalized greeting that addresses this specific person by name. This lets them know immediately the effort you have put into researching and tailoring your cover letter for them specifically.

Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings

• Dear Mr. John Applewood,

Dear Hiring Manager John Applewood,

• Dear Mr. John Applewood & the Hiring Department,

3. How to write a compelling introduction as a university student

Next up, you need to begin the body text of your cover letter with a compelling introduction .

To write a strong introduction as a university student, make sure to include:

• A brief overview of your academic experience (most students will have minimal professional experience, making academic experience highly important to describe in a cover letter)
• Your specialized area of expertise (such as the degree you are working toward)
• A concise statement on why you are a great fit for the position

Here is an example of a great introduction from a university student’s cover letter

I am a junior at the University of South Carolina, with two semesters left to complete my degree in Business and Hospitality Management. As I approach my final year of school, I am seeking an internship opportunity with a major hotel chain to hone my hospitality skills and build industry connections. Having earned a spot on my university’s Dean’s List for three consecutive years, I will bring an exceptional work ethic and commitment to excellent service to this position.

Find out your resume score!

4. How to showcase your best skills and accomplishments as a university student

Once your introduction is written and you are satisfied with it, you can move on to writing the remaining body paragraphs of your university student cover letter.

In these body paragraphs, your main goal is to showcase your top skills or accomplishments that are relevant to the job you are applying for. As well as describing these qualifications , you can also use the research you did earlier to reference specific needs of the company and how your skills meet those needs.

Here are 6 examples of skills to describe in a university student cover letter

• Communication (always describe your style of communication)
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Responsibility

Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a cover letter

As a student at the University of South Carolina, I have served as an Orientation Leader for two years, helping to bring new undergraduate students into the fold and get comfortable in their new surroundings. I recently earned the position of Head Orientation Leader thanks to my overwhelming positive reviews from new students I have mentored. Of the 300+ students I have worked with, 95% gave me a five out of five-star rating at the end of their Orientations.

5. How to complete your university student cover letter with a strong conclusion

The last step to writing your university student cover letter is to craft a strong conclusion . In this conclusion, you should include:

• The best times and days of the week to contact you
• When you are anticipating a response from the employer
• When you plan to follow up with the employer
• A formal sign-off

Here is an example of a strong conclusion from a university student's cover letter

I am honored to be considered for this position and hope to hear from you within the next week regarding this opportunity. You may best reach me at (123) 456-7890 on Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. As I am excited to learn more about this opportunity, I do plan to follow up next Monday morning if I have not heard back about this position.

Many Thanks,

[Applicant Name]

6. Useful resources for job-seeking university students

As a university student standing at the threshold of a professional career, having the right set of resources can truly empower your job hunt. Let's explore the must-haves in your arsenal:

• University career services: Your own university is a potent resource. Career Services offices often provide resume and cover letter reviews, interview preparation, and job placement assistance. Don't overlook these gems.
• Job search platforms: From LinkedIn to Indeed , these platforms teem with job opportunities perfect for recent graduates. They also offer search filters to streamline the hunt and make it less daunting.
• Field-specific job boards: Niche job boards like Idealist (for non-profits) or Dice (for tech) cater to specific fields, making your job search more focused and productive.
• Online portfolios: Platforms like Behance or GitHub , depending on your field of study, allow you to create an online portfolio showcasing your work. This can be a powerful supplement to your university student cover letter and resume.
• Networking events: Attend career fairs, industry conferences, or university alumni events to build your professional network. You never know which connection might lead to a promising opportunity.
• Internship websites: Websites like Chegg Internships or WayUp specifically cater to students seeking internships, often the stepping stone to a full-time job. 

Armed with these resources, you're ready to embark on the exciting and rewarding journey of your job search. Happy hunting!

University Student Cover Letter FAQ

How can i stand out in my university student cover letter, even if i have little to no work experience.

Draw attention to your academic achievements, any relevant coursework, and transferrable skills you’ve developed throughout your academic career. If you have undertaken internships or projects, summarize what you’ve learned from these experiences and how they can bring value to the prospective role.

How long should my university student cover letter be?

Aim to keep it concise and engaging. Typically, a cover letter should not exceed one page. Remember, it's about the quality of your words, not the quantity.

Must I write a new cover letter for each job application?

While it's fine to have a standard outline, your cover letter should always be tailored to each job application. Personalizing your cover letter for each role can show the hiring manager your genuine interest in their specific opportunity.

Should I always include a cover letter even if it's not asked for?

It's generally a good idea to include a cover letter when applying for a job. It gives you another platform to sell your skills and show your enthusiasm for the role and company.

Can I mention extracurricular activities in my cover letter?

Yes, definitely. Extracurricular activities can highlight your team skills, leadership qualities, and dedication. Remember to connect them back to the skills or qualities the job posting is seeking.

Julia Gergelova

Julia is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) and an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches (PARWCC™). She is also a passionate translator and graphic designer. Julia holds degrees in translation and interpretation and has international work experience in various countries across Europe, as well as in China and Panama. Julia formerly taught academic writing and contributed as a graphic designer to outlets such as The Business of Business. You'll often find her with a book in one hand and a specialty coffee in the other, always on the lookout for new insights.

All student cover letter examples

• Formal Sciences Student
• High School Student
• Humanities Student
• Student Internship
• Natural Sciences Student
• Professions And Applied Sciences Student
• Social Sciences Student

All university student cover letter examples

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How to Write a Personal Statement, CV and Cover Letter Free Online Courses The University of Sheffield 2023

• Online, Online
• Apply Before : September 1, 2023

Opportunity Details

• Opportunity ID 14223
• Degree Non Degree Program/Certificate
• Gender Male Female
• Language of Instruction English
• Application Fee Required No

Opportunity Description

Do you want to learn about CV and writing Applications for a job?

Do you want to know how to write an exceptional personal statement?

If yes, apply to the Free Course on Writing Application offered by the University of Sheffield . You will have the opportunity to learn everything from promoting yourself to writing and analyzing job advertisements to searching for an organization and using the STAR technique.

Details of writing the application Courses:

Duration of Course: Three weeks

Contribution: Three hours

Registeration Deadline: 1 September 2023

You will learn from experts about :

• Writing applications
• Cover letters
• Personal statements

Content of the course:

Skills understanding

• job adverts and course descriptions analysis
• Research of the organization
• Promote yourself through positive writing
• Master applicant tracking systems
• a personal brand creation
• Dealing with gaps in your application

CV and Cover letters:

• Make a positive impression
• Create an effective CV
• Develop a professional online profile
• Sell yourself in your cover letter (application letter)
• Explore sample CVs and cover letters

Application forms and personal statements

• How to approach application forms
• Structuring your responses with the STAR technique
• Responding to competency-based, strength-based, motivational and situational judgment questions
• How to write a brilliant personal statement

Achievement:

When you complete this course, you will be able to:

• Improve your chances to succeed in getting a job or securing a position on a university course
• Apply best practice techniques to apply for jobs, apprenticeships, placements, and university courses, including preparation of the application to writing CVs and completing application forms.
• Identifying what recruiters are looking for through analysis of job advertisements and employers and institutions research to know how to get fit their eligibility and requirements.
• Developing a better understanding of your strengths and skills in order to confidently apply for your dream job or courses.
• Improving the way you can promote yourself effectively by positive writing and a strong personal brand creation an identity that looks impressive to a recruiter, whether that’s an employer or admissions tutor

Who can use this course?

Anyone who wants to apply for jobs or courses who want to learn how to write a cover letter or CV that works.

Enter the official Future Learn Website for detials.

Do you want more free Online Courses: 

Free Online Courses by Worlds TOP Universities

Do you want to know about the recommendation letter, Read HERE

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Preparing to write an application, CV or cover letter

Effective preparation can help you to tailor your application, CV or cover letter effectively which will lead to higher success rates. Read our advice below on how you can best prepare.

Effective research helps you to understand the opportunity better - whether that opportunity is a job, placement or further study. By knowing more you will be better prepared to demonstrate your motivation and have a better understanding of their requirements.

When doing your research there are multiple sources of information you could explore:

• Their website - company websites for jobs/placements, University/departmental websites for further study
• The job advert and/or person specification (this is a list of essential and desirable criteria)
• Their social media*
• Your own networks*
• News articles
• Annual reports
• Career Service employer events, fairs and webinars*
• Library resources*
• Job profiles*

*Resources to help you with your research in these areas can be found in the “Key Tasks” section.

Remember, you are not expected to be an expert, but you should know enough about them to understand the role you are applying for, what it is you need to demonstrate, and how the company / course / research group broadly operates.

Once you know the employer's requirements, think about examples that demonstrate these skills or experience. These examples can come from your academic work (dissertation, fieldwork and team projects), work experience, voluntary work, student societies, positions of responsibility, sport and music, or anything else!

• Try to think of examples from a range of activities, from different parts of your life.
• Where possible, draw on recent examples
• Specific examples should include specific detail as this makes them more memorable and persuasive.
• Focus on how and why you were successful in the activity involved.
• Where relevant, see if you can include a measure of your success, eg how much money you raised/managed, how many people you led/presented to.

Many recruiters will use their criteria as a selection tool, therefore it is important that you evidence their criteria as much as possible. Picking examples which best match the criteria means you can tailor your CV, application or cover letter to the specific job you are applying to.

If you struggle to reflect on yourself and your experiences, consider writing lists, mind-mapping or talking about the criteria with a friend or family member. You might surprise yourself!

1. Research the opportunity thoroughly. Consider exploring the  Prospects ,  TARGETJobs  or  National Careers Service  website, which contains 100’s of job profiles. Current students can also access  resources from the library  which includes databases such as Business Source Premier, Nexis and the Financial Times.

2. Find out more about the opportunity through networking. See our advice on  using social media and how to network effectively . The Careers Service also hosts a wide variety of employer events, fairs and webinars , where you can learn more directly from employers.

3. Explore  Graduates First employer guides  which details the application process for the top graduate recruiters.

4. If you have a disability, a long term health condition, a specific learning difficulty (eg dyslexia) or a mental health condition, the  Careers Service can support you .

Experience all t he benefits and services that come from being a Sheffield graduate.