Cover letters

A well written cover letter is your opportunity to make your application stand out from the crowd. Here you can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job and show that you have carefully read the job advertisement and matched your skills with those required to do the job.

It is essential that you customize each cover letter for every job you apply for as potential employers will recognize a recycled cover letter when they see one.

Below are some tips for preparing your personalized Cover Letter:

• Thoroughly read the job description and tailor your cover letter to match your skills with those required to do the job.
• Research the company and more specifically the department the roles sits within - visit the company website, read industry related magazines, or contact industry bodies.
• Use formal, upbeat and positive language.
• Keep to three to four paragraphs at the most [no longer than 1 A4 page].
• Introduce yourself, state what position you are applying for and where you saw it advertised - e.g Account Manager role advertised on search4jobs.co.nz.
• Explain why you are interested in the role and what makes you the best candidate. Highlight specific areas in your CV that reflect how your skills match the role.
• If you are applying for a job which would be a career change, talk about the type of skills / experience you possess and emphasize how these could be transferred to this new role.
• Indicate availability and enthusiasm for an interview.
• Provide a contact number and email address.
• Remember to proof read and spell check your cover letter. It is a good idea to get someone else to read over it.

Try to avoid:

• Using the same cover letter for numerous job applications
• Repeating or summarizing your CV

Sources:

• http://www.justbe.com.au
• http://www.careerone.com.au