DIY Cover Letter For Job Applications
Would you like to be more confident in writing your cover letter for job applications?
A cover letter for job applications, like your resume, summarizes who you are and why you're qualified for the Graduate Program position. If you're in the job market, your cover letter often makes the first impression. The key to crafting a good cover letter is to precisely address the company's needs and clearly demonstrate why they should hire you. In this blog post, we'll explore tips on writing an engaging cover letter that captures the attention of hiring managers and employers, making them excited about the prospect of hiring you. We also address the most common questions to ensure your cover letter helps you stand out in your job search.
You've been looking for a job as a Graduate Program, but you can't seem to land the interview. Maybe it's time to take your cover letter up a notch?
To take the cover letter up to the next level, you want to ensure that each cover letter strengthens your pitch as the perfect Graduate Program because a generic cover letter never works! Instead, you need to know precisely what the employer is looking for in a candidate. The best place to find this information is in the position advertisement. An example position advertisement has been added below:
Your Opportunity:
Different Mindset. Different Opportunity.
We're known for doing things differently and we're known for coming up with bold new ways to help clients solve their most complex commercial problems.
We help clients throughout their lifecycle, helping them grow and maximise value, protecting them against financial loss and reputational damage and helping them recover value in tough times.
We also provide the opportunity to work on interesting and varied engagements, where no two days are the same.
By joining us as a graduate, you will become part of a unique, creative and entrepreneurial team that works together to solve complex business problems. You will be given the opportunity to engage in a supportive environment where you're encouraged to ask "what if?" and "why not?" to find new ways to help clients grow, protect and recover value.
Best of all, you'll learn from a diverse group of people while we invest in your study and training.
Applying 'a different mindset' is at the heart of everything we do and it is fuelled by the diversity of our peoples' experiences and backgrounds. We are committed to enhancing diversity within the firm and celebrating differences. We work with our people to make reasonable adjustments and support their ability to thrive in a positive, barrier-free environment through the recruitment process and into the workplace.
We are currently seeking a graduate to join our team for our graduate intake.
Our leading group works with companies in financial distress - to restructure and stabilise the business or to recover value on behalf of stakeholders. We work for company directors, lenders, shareholders, employees and other creditors to recover value on their behalf. Looking beyond the numbers, we consider how our actions affect people's lives and communities. Take bold and creative steps to achieve the best result for all stakeholders.
What you'll be doing
As a graduate, you'll work in creative project teams to manage Australia's largest and most complex corporate restructures, receiverships, administrations and liquidations. While no two days will be the same, you can expect to:
- work onsite to assist the team with the day to day running of distressed business
- manage creditor enquires and process receipts and payments
- help to meet statutory obligations including preparing business activity statements and ASIC forms
- attend meetings with clients and key stakeholders
- participate in business development and marketing activities
- research new opportunities by analysing financial and market information and reporting back to Partners
But it's not all about work. You'll be given a buddy to help you navigate office life as you settle in. You'll choose a mentor who will help guide your career. We host regular events and activities, bringing together our close-knit team in a friendly and relaxed environment so you can get to know the people behind the professionals. You'll also become a member of Accelerate, our young professionals' networking group.
You can also make a positive difference in your community through regular charity and industry events. Whether it's volunteering at local food rescue venues or participating in a stair challenge or bike rides to raise money for children's charities, you can get involved and give back.
About you
You will be a recent graduate or student in your final year of study and will have:
- an accounting or finance degree
- empathy and integrity
- strong problem solving and negotiating skills
- excellent analytical, technical and communication skills
- an ability to think outside-the-box
- strong interpersonal qualities
- a focus on delivering excellent client service
- strong academic results
- some prior work experience
- eligibility to live and work in Australia (Australian citizens and permanent residents only)
Ready to apply?
You need to match your transferable experience, personal qualities, and skills towards the daily responsibilities of the role. For example, to address the employer's need for you to research new opportunities by analysing financial and market information and reporting back to Partners, offer a short, very brief sentence with pertinent information such as a personal strength of yours or the types of transferable skills you may bring to their company. It may also be beneficial to provide information about topics covered within a qualification you completed to demonstrate you will be able to do the skill with minimal training.
Strong cover letters also synthesise all relevant aspects of your background in 2-3 main paragraphs. In one brief page, you will be making it clear to the hiring manager the experience and skills you can specifically bring to their company. Keep your letter concise and focused on accomplishments, so readers don't waste time figuring out what you are talking about.
Remember, your cover letter is accompanied by your resume, which should speak for itself. However, there may be stand out resume examples that can easily demonstrate your ability to undertake a particular responsibility in the new job. Hiring managers have also seen many poorly constructed resumes and cover letters; therefore, the secret is to proofread!
To efficiently and positively stand out, give yourself a head start by presenting how grammatically articulate and well-written you are!It is an easy mistake to make, and bad grammar reflects so poorly on your image, so always ask a friend to read what you have written before hitting APPLY!
Would You Like A DIY Cover Letter Template?
If we think about what's vital to HR or recruiters when they hire a Graduate Program, they want to know three things:
- What value will you bring to the company?
- Are you proficient in your skillset?
- Are you available to take on the Graduate Program position if we shortlist you?
A general framework can be followed to make it easier for you to draft your cover letters. Start with a personal branding statement, outline where you are currently working, where you have worked, and the transferable skills you can bring to the role. Next, list your qualifications and any specifics related to your suitability. These might include your transferable skills to undertake the duties if you were successful in the position.
How To Write A Cover Letter
It helps to begin your cover letter with the employer's contact information and a sentence or two about what you can offer the employer related to their role. It's crucial that your cover letter is written in the first person and addressed specifically to the person who may end up being the employer and professionally presented.
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Insert organisation Insert department Insert date Dear Hiring Manager, Re: Graduate Program opportunity, A insert adjectives displayed in the job advertisement employee, I am eager to contribute to insert something relevant to the organisation you are applying for by inserting a sample of responsibilities as listed in the job description. Recently/Currently employed as a insert position for insert company name, I perform/ed to a high standard by insert a sample of achievements. These activities have provided me with the transferrable skills required to insert something relevant for the company you are applying for your organisation. Suitably qualified with a insert qualification(s), coupled with over/nearly how many years of which industry experience, I can also confirm that I possess the following qualities as required:
While I thoroughly enjoy/ed my current/recent role, I am now seeking a new challenge/long-term career change.Therefore, please find other experiences reflected in my enclosed resume to pique your interest to shortlist me for an interview.I can be contacted at example@outlook.com or 0400 000 000 at a time of your convenience. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards Your name |
How Do I Say I Want A Graduate Program Job! In My Cover Letter Samples?
There are many ways to say that you want a job without saying I NEED THE MONEY! in your cover letter. To ensure that you can provide your best impression, you want to put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes. Ask yourself, why does the hiring manager want to give the job to you? What benefit do they have in filling the position? Then, you can work backwards from there to demonstrate why you want the job. Sometimes, the hiring manager gives these reasons away in the job advertisement.
For example, they might say, 'we are looking for an employee who has values which match our own.' Your reason for working with them becomes clear, 'I am eager to work with your company as your values of respect, teamwork, customer service,and innovation align with my values of honesty, working with others, communication and always finding new and improved ways of working.' The other way to say that you want the job in a cover letter is to align your relevant skills and past experiences to the benefit of the role in a short paragraph (or two).
Remember, be concise. You only have one page to engage them! For example, 'Recently, I completed a Master of Public Health, gaining theoretical understanding around population health, a global healthcare and patient experiences. Therefore, I am eager to share my insights to support your team in implementing contemporary health practices.'
Thank You For The Cover Letter Sample, However, I Have No Experience!!!
If you are struggling to land a job due to a lack of experience in your chosen field, you need to be strategic. The most important thing is to be genuine and focus on what they need instead of what is motivating you to get the job. The most obvious is to explain why you believe that you would make an excellent employee, given your education or other qualifications. Other experiences you may relay include your volunteer work, school project outcomes, internship experience, or other things you have done in your life. Then, you need to describe why you think those qualities would bring to their team. For example, what are they missing by not inducting someone like yourself on their team now? It's also great if you offer any links to samples that will help illustrate your experience too! If work experience is mandatory, it would be worth your while to gain voluntary experience or complete an internship.
Organisations such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army serve as great outlets to simultaneously practice your verbal, written or interpersonal skills. Social service or education providers in your area may also offer case management to help establish goals and set you up with a volunteer opportunity within your skillset. Internships represent an excellent way to explore fields of interest while getting real-world experience closer to home. However, it is essential not to take too much time off from studying because it can be difficult for anyone but recent graduates who are 'just coming out' into the world of work to get back in after an extended break.
Can you get hired as a Graduate Program without a cover letter?
Most hiring managers, recruiters, and HR professionals will require you to submit a cover letter with your job application. Even if they don't request a cover letter, they will be expecting one. But put in the effort to tailor it. You will not only be wasting your time but that of the employer as well if it's not tailored specifically for the job advertised! So, can you get hired without a cover letter? Yes, however, it's always best practice to send one simply because your resume is a formal document that highlights everything you are currently doing and what you have done. The cover letter is an opportunity for you to explain who you are as a person and why you are qualified for the Graduate Program position.
How can The Perfect Resume Team Help With Your Job Search?
To be successful in your job search, you need to have a compelling cover letter. It's the first thing that hiring managers will read, and it can help make or break an application. A well-written cover letter should tell the hiring manager why they want you on their team.
However, if you still don't know where to start and struggling to find some time, email us at info@theperfectresume.com.au with your resume and link to the specific position. We can review what you have and provide some feedback so you can stop wasting your time writing generic fluff and increase your interview chances!
Alternatively, click here to purchase the cover letter update today.
