Lesson Objectives: |
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What are Cover Letters and
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Cover letters are single-page introductions to the documents you send to another person (in this case, your resume) and give you the chance to express your intentions for applying for a specific job position.
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You might be applying for a specific, advertised job, or you might be contacting a potential employer to see if they have any vacancies. Either way, your cover letter needs to:
- Introduce you
- Mention the job (or kind of job) you're applying for (or looking for)
- Match your skills and experiences with the skills and experiences required by the job
- Encourage the reader to read your resume
- Finish with a call to action (e.g., requesting an interview or asking to meet)
Source: http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/applying-for-jobs/how-to-write-a-cover-letter
How to Write an Effective Cover Letter
Activity 1:
Discuss the key points of this video, and what did you take away from this? If you have written a cover letter before, what can you do to improve it?
Each application should be tailored to suit the job you’re applying for and demonstrate you’re a ‘fit’. To ensure your cover letter/email introduction isn’t ignored go through the job advertisement and underline the keywords used to describe the skills, training and experience being sought. Search through your own education and work experience history for specific examples of how you can demonstrate you have what the employer is looking for.
For example the advertisement might say: "This position requires an outgoing person with demonstrated capacity to work in a team". The keywords here are "outgoing", "demonstrated" and "team". Show you meet these essential criteria to increase your chances of an interview.
In essence, cover letters are selling your resume and as such need to grab the reader's attention and make them want to read on. This is usually done by highlighting your "Unique Selling Points" - ie. the qualities that set you apart. It should be written so that the reader cannot possibly pass it over without opening the resume document itself.
But what if I don't really meet the criteria? Is it still worth applying for this job?
If you are not sure of the qualities or competencies required, try to work out what they are likely to be. Why not talk to your recruiter or consider a similar position you have seen in operation elsewhere?
In summary, while there is demand for candidates in a wide range of sectors right now and even skills shortages in a number of areas, competition for good roles always remains strong and the preference from employers is for candidates who can clearly demonstrate that they meet the criteria outlined in job ads and position descriptions.
Source: http://www.hays.com.au/career-advice/cover-letter-764
For example the advertisement might say: "This position requires an outgoing person with demonstrated capacity to work in a team". The keywords here are "outgoing", "demonstrated" and "team". Show you meet these essential criteria to increase your chances of an interview.
In essence, cover letters are selling your resume and as such need to grab the reader's attention and make them want to read on. This is usually done by highlighting your "Unique Selling Points" - ie. the qualities that set you apart. It should be written so that the reader cannot possibly pass it over without opening the resume document itself.
But what if I don't really meet the criteria? Is it still worth applying for this job?
If you are not sure of the qualities or competencies required, try to work out what they are likely to be. Why not talk to your recruiter or consider a similar position you have seen in operation elsewhere?
In summary, while there is demand for candidates in a wide range of sectors right now and even skills shortages in a number of areas, competition for good roles always remains strong and the preference from employers is for candidates who can clearly demonstrate that they meet the criteria outlined in job ads and position descriptions.
Source: http://www.hays.com.au/career-advice/cover-letter-764
Cover Letter Structure |
Read this cover letter. Determine how the "good" cover letter example is made up. How is it structured? Compare it to this letter below it. How do they differ?
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Activity 2: DIY Cover Letter
Start writing your own cover letter for the Seek job ad I posted in the first Resume lesson of this series (the receptionist position). Make sure you follow the structure set out in class, and lastly have a friend proof read your work.
Start writing your own cover letter for the Seek job ad I posted in the first Resume lesson of this series (the receptionist position). Make sure you follow the structure set out in class, and lastly have a friend proof read your work.