Cover Letter Writing Guidelines:
- Put yourself in the shoes of the advertising employer and ask, "What does this person have that I am seeking for as an employer?"
- Say only what has to be said; don't overwrite.
- Personalize your cover letter for each position. Match your style to the industry and role you're in, such as creative or professional.
- Combine brief sentences, bullet points, and paragraphs in your writing.
- Limit yourself to one page.
Cover letters should always be included with a CV and can be used in two situations:
1. Applying for a job that's been advertised
- The first step is to examine the position and distinguish between generic information about the employer and job-specific information.
- Look over the specified minimum requirements and think about how your experience, abilities, qualifications, or personal characteristics match what the business is seeking.
- Create a list of the specified mandatory needs and connect them to evidence of experience, talent, certification, or personal characteristics from your CV and life.
- Write down the requirements in the order they appeared in the advertisement.
Example:
"Strong financial and administrative abilities" are required, according to the advertisement.
Verify your talents, expertise, qualifications, or personal characteristics, for example:
I have a Massey University Diploma in Office Administration and have passed accounting exams, and I am currently responsible for all practice accounting and invoicing, as well as overseeing all office administration systems and processes for a 40-person company.
2. Responding to an information request
- Crafting a personalised cover letter for someone who has requested your CV for a potential role, such as a recruiter, human resource manager, or LinkedIn acquaintance, is critical.
- Include the name and title of the person to whom you're writing the letter, as well as the job title, if one is available.
- If there isn't a job description or advertisement, do some research on the contact person, the organization, and the types of employment that match your profile and interests.
Create a profile on our Job Connector and get linked with potential employers now that you've fine-tuned your cover letter.