So, you have found a job advertisement for your dream job, but how do you get the job? To start with, you write a killer cover letter that tells the employer why they should employ you!
Cover letters are as important as your resume for getting an employer to take notice of you. Think about all of the qualities that would make you the perfect person for the job. Remember employers get many applications/cover letters for jobs, so you need to be able to convince them that you are the right person for the job in a concise way - keep your letter brief/concise (no more than one page)
Here are 6 top tips for writing cover letters
A well thought out and carefully written covering letter is the first step in the process of selling yourself to a prospective employer. So make it count.
Focus on the job at hand. It's fine to tell a prospective employer how great you are. But people are only interested in how your greatness relates specifically to the position they are looking to fill. In other words, do you have the particular skills and talents they need? So make it relevant. Find out exactly what the job will entail and tailor your cover letter accordingly.
Less is more. There is no need to write more than one single page for a covering letter. Successful people are busy, and brevity is appreciated. “Short, Sharp and Shiny”
Do some research first. Before you write your letter, why not call or visit the place where you wish to be employed? A bit of background will add some substance to your letter.
The best type of letter is one which is typed. Don't hand write unless specifically instructed to do so, which would be highly unusual. (Unless you were going for a job as a calligrapher).
Get the little things right. Make sure that the names are spelled correctly - in fact, make sure ALL words are spelled correctly. Check the grammar and punctuation. Don't use words that sound impressive if you're unsure of their meaning. Make sure that the date is correct and of course, that your contact information is right. Use capital letters for names, business names and addresses.
Don't exaggerate ... too much. It's OK to gild the lily a little bit when it comes to your experience and credentials. Everyone tries to put as positive a spin as they possibly can on themselves. But don't go overboard. You should be able to work out how much is too much.
Cover letters are as important as your resume for getting an employer to take notice of you. Think about all of the qualities that would make you the perfect person for the job. Remember employers get many applications/cover letters for jobs, so you need to be able to convince them that you are the right person for the job in a concise way - keep your letter brief/concise (no more than one page)
Here are 6 top tips for writing cover letters
A well thought out and carefully written covering letter is the first step in the process of selling yourself to a prospective employer. So make it count.
Focus on the job at hand. It's fine to tell a prospective employer how great you are. But people are only interested in how your greatness relates specifically to the position they are looking to fill. In other words, do you have the particular skills and talents they need? So make it relevant. Find out exactly what the job will entail and tailor your cover letter accordingly.
Less is more. There is no need to write more than one single page for a covering letter. Successful people are busy, and brevity is appreciated. “Short, Sharp and Shiny”
Do some research first. Before you write your letter, why not call or visit the place where you wish to be employed? A bit of background will add some substance to your letter.
The best type of letter is one which is typed. Don't hand write unless specifically instructed to do so, which would be highly unusual. (Unless you were going for a job as a calligrapher).
Get the little things right. Make sure that the names are spelled correctly - in fact, make sure ALL words are spelled correctly. Check the grammar and punctuation. Don't use words that sound impressive if you're unsure of their meaning. Make sure that the date is correct and of course, that your contact information is right. Use capital letters for names, business names and addresses.
Don't exaggerate ... too much. It's OK to gild the lily a little bit when it comes to your experience and credentials. Everyone tries to put as positive a spin as they possibly can on themselves. But don't go overboard. You should be able to work out how much is too much.
Activity 1: Read the information about creating a winning job cover letter. Go online to SEEK.com or Indeed.com and choose an ad for a job. Type in the type of job you may want to apply for. What sort of information is given about jobs? In pairs or small groups choose a job online and find the following information:
1. What is the job? What type of job is it (Full time/Part-time/Casual)? 2. Where is the job? 3. How much will the employee be paid? 4. What are the requirements of the applicant? Eg. Licence; experience etc. Write down your information and be prepared to share with the class. Activity 2: Individually, read through the Online Job Ads document Complete the SEEK cover letter template for that job. Put your own information in the template where the red writing is. See examples of simple and more complex cover letters below |
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