HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF TO EMPLOYERS
HOW TO WRITE EFFECTIVE COVER LETTERS If an employer requests a résumé, they usually want a cover letter, too. Don't let go of this opportunity to showcase your skills and enthusiasm — it can make a big difference to the success of your job application!
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convincing cover letter should always accompany a résumé when applying for a graduate job. It’s an extra opportunity to highlight your most relevant skills to recruiters and demonstrate your motivation and enthusiasm for the job. Here’s our four-step guide to effectively sell your skills through your cover letter!
STEP #1
STEP #2
STEP #3
Get your opening right
Answer the question “Why you?”
Then, answer the question “Why them?”
After your salutations, inform the recruiter which job, internship or scheme you are applying for, where you saw it advertised and why you are applying. If the position has a reference number, it’s always good to include that for their easy reference.
The first paragraph or two should be about you. Convince the employer why you are well-suited to the role by referring directly to the job description and concentrating on how you have the skills, abilities and/ or knowledge to excel in this job. Mix evidence of specific skills and knowledge related to the job with anecdotes from your personal experience. At the graduate level, it’s still fine to refer to work experience that isn’t directly related to the profession you are applying to as long as you can show how that experience or skill can be transferred to the prospective job. Use examples from your experience doing part-time jobs, extra-curricular activities and academic work to demonstrate how you have developed and practised skills such as communication, teamwork, time management and commercial awareness.
The next paragraph or so should explain why you are interested in both the job and the organisation. What is it about the employer and/or the job that made you apply? This is your opportunity to customise your cover letter so that the recruiter knows you are interested specifically in the job position, instead of blasting out cookie-cutter résumés and cover letters to a dozen different companies. Re-read the job advertisement and make sure you have done some background research into the organisation. This will help you tell the recruiter why you want to work for their company and why you are interested in this particular job. If you prefer, you could switch steps #3 with #2 and write about why you’re applying to the employer first. As long as you answer both “Why you?” and “Why them?” in your cover letter, the exact order doesn’t matter.
Always address your cover letter to a named contact. Give the organisation a call to find out who you should address your job application to if a name isn’t given on the job ad or their website. Ensure you correctly address the person’s title, eg Mr, Miss, or even Dr. Some people may feel quite strongly about how they are addressed.
Avoid copying statements wordfor-word from your résumé. Think about how you can rephrase the information or expand on specific skills and achievements that match the needs of the role.
88 | SIM CAREER GUIDE 2020
Provide specific reasons when discussing your motivations for applying, such as the training they provide. Avoid turgid statements that could be said about pretty much any employer, such as “because you’re a prestigious company”.
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