#coverletters

We feel you Peter 😩

@answering key selection criteria Nov 22 2017

Once you have produced a CV that you are pleased with, you have one big advantage over many other job-seekers: you are ready to apply for a job whenever a suitable one comes up. Instead of flying into a panic at the thought of having to prepare all your details, you will be ready to send off your personal introduction to the employer promptly Another great advantage of having an impressive CV to hand is that similar information can be sent to any number of different employers; the only information you need to change is the covering letter that is sent with it. Your CV will be deliberately designed to be suitable for many different situations How do you start to compile an effective CV? Working on a CV of which you are really proud can take a long time. The finished document can be improved on and altered continually, even when you are ready to use it. Making sure that you are including the right information is a time-consuming business initially. All your details need to be listed and then you must be ruthless in weeding out any unnecessary information. A short CV is the only finished product that will be read. Your CV will last your whole career long. It will change and develop as you do,but once written will provide the template that you can adapt as your experience grows and the requirements of the job market change. When the CV is looked at in this light, you can appreciate that it is going to be a very useful investment of your time, effort and writing ability to construct the best document you can. The importance of presentation Once you are happy with the content, the correct presentation of the document can be as challenging a task to attend to. A good CV will speak volumes about the sort of person you are. If you have taken the time to sort out the document properly, you will appear well organized and thorough (useful in any job), and if the CV is well presented, you will look as though you are a person who is careful about details and confident at the same time. Presentation covers more than just the look of the document it also relates to the way you include and order your material. Otherwise good CVs can be ruined by inconsistent layout and illogical order. Your content needs to be organized to make it easy for the reader to follow. It is irritating to have to keep mentally jumping around when reading a CV that repeats information and does not follow on in a sensible layout. It also often means that the CV is longer than it needs to be. A CV is never used on its own, and will always be accompanied by a covering letter. This letter is your opportunity to be specific about exactly how you fit the particular job that you are applying for, picking out the relevant skills, qualifications or experience that you have detailed in your CV Stressing your good points Writing the CV is excellent practice in being assertive about yourself and your achievements. Most people are hopelessly bad at putting their best points forward. We are all more used to being shy and quiet about our assets. https://www.facebook.com/Selectioncriteria/

#resume #resumewriter #cv #coverletters #jobapplication #governmentjob #australiangovernment #jobsearch #jobseekers #jobhunting #lookingforwork

#resume #resumewriter #cv #coverletters #jobsearch #jobsearching #jobhunting #jobseekers #like4like #likeforlike

This is exactly what I mean when I say that it is far harder for some- one to write their own career-change CV. And one of the main reasons for this is because you need to come at it more objectively from a different angle, and with a wider perspective. This is neither natural nor straightforward. If you are from a marketing background but want to change to accounting, then really you need a CV which is more in tune with the new sector. Not only this, but you also need to stress the right positives more stress the right positives more effectively while addressing any negatives exacerbate matters further, if you really want the best career-change CV then you also need to give it a lot more thought and care.

By Mark Fiebert Key Takeaways - Clear Purpose: A cover letter strengthens your application by showing how your skills, experiences, and personality align directly with the role and company. - Strategic Personalization: Tailoring each cover letter to the company's job description and the hiring manager's specific needs demonstrates genuine interest and helps you stand out. - Strong Structure: An effective cover letter opens with impact, highlights relevant achievements in the body, and ends with confident enthusiasm and gratitude. - Professional Precision: Careful proofreading, proper formatting, and avoiding generic content help maintain credibility and show attention to detail. - Common Pitfalls: Avoid form letters, resume repetition, spelling errors, and lack of research to ensure your cover letter supports rather than weakens your candidacy. Whenever you apply for a job position through a job search board or a company's career site, it is highly recommended to include a cover letter. This will effectively communicate the alignment between your skillset, experience, and the job opportunity to the hiring manager. A cover letter provides an opportunity to showcase your professional skills and experiences, highlighting why you are a suitable candidate for the job. The way you craft and deliver the cover letter speaks volumes about you. To create an impressive cover letter that captivates prospective employers, consider the following essential tips: How to Write a Cover Letter - Use an AI-powered cover letter generator: If you're struggling to start or format your cover letter, consider using an AI tool like CareerToolbelt. It helps you craft a personalized and professional cover letter tailored to the job you're applying for, saving you time while ensuring quality. - Understand the Purpose: A cover letter serves as an introduction to potential employers, highlighting how your skills and experience align with the job requirements and company culture. - Research the Company: Tailor your cover letter by researching the company’s values, projects, and the role itself. Show how your background makes you a perfect fit for their team. - Address it Properly: Whenever possible, address the cover letter to a specific person. Use “Dear Hiring Manager” only if you cannot find a name, to add a personal touch. - Start Strong: Begin with a compelling opening sentence that grabs attention. Mention the position you’re applying for and how you discovered the opportunity. - Highlight Key Experiences: Use specific examples from your past work or education to demonstrate your qualifications and how they apply to the position at hand. - Show Your Enthusiasm: Express genuine interest in the role and the company. Explain why you’re passionate about the opportunity and how it aligns with your career goals. - Include Soft Skills: Mention critical soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Explain how these have benefited you in past roles or projects. - Keep it Concise: Aim for a single page. Be direct and to the point, ensuring every sentence adds value and relevance to your application. - Close Strong: End your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering your application and expressing your eagerness to discuss it in further detail. - Edit and Proofread: Before sending, meticulously proofread your cover letter for typos and grammatical errors, and ensure it’s tailored to the job and company. Introductory Paragraph Start your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager directly. Ideally, find their name in the job ad or contact the HR department for it. If unable to find the name, address the letter to "Dear Hiring Manager for ." This shows personalized effort. Begin by clearly stating the job position and then highlighting the specific skills and experiences that make you the ideal candidate for that role. Proofread the content to eliminate any typos, grammatical errors, or other mistakes. Main Body Paragraph Next, you will write the body paragraph, which serves as the core of your cover letter. Here, you will demonstrate how you meet the job position's requirements. Highlight specific skills that align with the job requirements and showcase relevant experiences that support your suitability for the role. When applicable, refer to your resume to provide additional evidence. If you're not applying to a specific job, explain how your skills and abilities would contribute to the company's success. Proofread the content carefully to eliminate any typos, grammatical errors, or other mistakes. Closing Paragraph In the final paragraph, express your continued enthusiasm for the job and convey your anticipation for an interview. Reiterate your interest and provide your contact details to facilitate communication with the employer. Conclude the letter by expressing gratitude to the hiring manager for their time and consideration. Proofread the content meticulously to rectify any typos, grammatical errors, or other mistakes. Your attention to detail ensures a polished and professional cover letter. Don't Make These Mistakes - Spelling errors - Your cover letter should be free of all spelling errors or grammatical errors. Proofread your cover letter or use a product like Grammarly.com. - Lack of Follow-up - Don't leave the letter "open-ended".  Indicate that you will follow up in two weeks. - Summary of Your Resume - To cut and paste from your resume or restate what is already included in your resume. Your cover letter should be a stand-alone document. - Form Letter Format - Your cover letter should be tailored to the specific opportunity, rather than using a generic form letter.  It should specifically mention the job title and skills that are aligned with the job opportunity. - Research - Research the company before writing your letter (take a look at Company Research). Find out as much as you can about the company and the job position. Research the hiring manager via LinkedIn.  Your cover letter should demonstrate your familiarity with the company. - Change it Up - Never send the same cover letter for every job posting. - Proper Formatting - Never send a cover letter in an email format. Always send the letter on high-quality paper to suggest a professional attitude. Further Guidance & Tools - Cover Letter Basics: Review Indeed’s cover letter guide for practical steps, examples, and formatting tips that help you write a compelling letter. - Structured Samples: Explore CareerOneStop’s cover letter samples to see strong real-world structures you can adapt to your own applications. - In-Depth Advice: Read Harvard Business Review’s perspective on why cover letters still matter and how to make yours stand out. - Detailed Examples: Use The Balance Money’s cover letter examples to understand how different roles and industries adapt tone and content. - Proofreading Help: Follow Grammarly’s proofreading checklist to catch typos, grammar errors, and awkward phrasing before sending your cover letter. Next Steps - Choose one target job description and draft a fresh cover letter that directly reflects its responsibilities, keywords, and the company’s stated values. - Research the hiring organization, noting recent news and core priorities, then weave one or two specific details naturally into your cover letter. - Write a strong opening paragraph that clearly states the role, how you found it, and one compelling reason you are excited about the opportunity. - Identify two or three concrete achievements from your experience and translate them into brief, results-focused examples for your cover letter body. - Carefully proofread your letter aloud to catch errors, refine word choice, and ensure the tone feels confident, professional, and authentic. Final Words A well-crafted cover letter is more than a formality; it is your chance to connect your story to a specific opportunity and decision-maker. By understanding the role, tailoring every paragraph, and presenting polished, error-free writing, you show respect for the employer and confidence in your value. Treat each letter as a strategic asset that advances your job search. Additional Resources Read the full article