Whether you’re actively looking for a new job or are currently employed, read our career advice to learn some useful, practical tips that will help prepare you for the job market and impress your next employer.
How to start a cover letter
- State why you’re writing the cover letter
- Include the job title you’re applying for and how you found out about the position
- Include the job reference number (if provided)
Include a brief overview of relevant:
- Qualifications
- Skills
- Experience / Achievements (use tangible numbers)
How to end a cover letter
Let the reader know why you would be a good fit, and state how you would welcome the opportunity of an interview.
QUICK TIPS
- Ensure there are no typos and that you use correct grammar and paragraphs
- Consider the use of bullet points, they keep text brief and easy to read
- Keep it concise, don’t exceed one side of letter-sized sheet of paper.
- Always include your contact details
Do some background research and focus on the following things:
- The company
- Their competitors
- The role
- The wider industry
You can look on their website, social media channels and review sites like Glassdoor.
You’ll also need to prepare yourself for interview questions, competency interviews, and interview presentations.
Questions will generally be centered around your career so far, your personality and your ability to do the role you have applied for.
Be prepared to talk about:
- why you have applied
- what you will bring to the job
- relevant achievements to date
- your strengths and weaknesses
Competency questions will likely focus on your ability to work in a team, make decisions and solve problems – gather a few examples you can talk about if prompted.
- Tailor your resume to the job
- Structure your resume to include nationality/visa details (if applicable), skills summary, work experience, education/training, interests and references
- Keep personal details to a minimum – don’t include age, religious or political stance
- Reverse order your education and qualifications (most recent first)
- In addition to formal qualifications, mention software skills, applications, operating systems and databases that you’re familiar with, and other language capabilities
- Proofread – spelling mistakes and bad grammar work against you
- Be truthful, never embellish
- Format your resume to aid navigation – use bullet points, bold and underlining
- Try to not go beyond 2 sides of paper
- Include contact details – make sure your email address is professional and reflects your name