by Taylah Berry
Your cover letter is your opportunity to make a stellar first impression on potential employers. Tailoring it to each job application is crucial to demonstrate your interest and qualifications for the role. In this guide, we'll explore the key tips and strategies for crafting a cover letter that stands out from the crowd and gives you the best chance of scoring the job!
1. Research the company
Before you start writing, take the time to research the company and understand its values, mission, and culture. Visit their website and pay attention to the lingo they use. This will help you tailor your cover letter to align with the company and demonstrate your genuine interest in the organisation.
2. Customise the salutation
Address your cover letter to the hiring manager whenever possible. If the hiring manager's name is not provided in the job posting, use a generic salutation such as "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company Name] Hiring Team." Avoid using generic salutations like "To Whom It May Concern."
3. Start strong
Begin your cover letter with a strog opening paragraph that grabs the reader's attention and highlights your enthusiasm for the position. Mention how you discovered the job opening and why you're excited about the opportunity to contribute to the company.
4. Highlight your relevant experiences and capabilities
This is the juicy part of your cover letter. Most job descriptions will include a list of selection criteria that you will need to address. This list will be titled something like ‘About You’, ‘Requirements’ or ‘What you need to succeed’.
Customise the body of your cover letter to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. Use specific examples to demonstrate how your qualifications align with the requirements of the position.
5. Showcase your achievements
Talk yourself up! Applying for jobs is about putting your best foot forward and showcasing why you are the best person for the role. Don't just reiterate your resume—use your cover letter to highlight your accomplishments. Talk about specific projects or initiatives you've led, quantifiable results you've achieved and any awards or recognition you've received that are relevant to the job.
7. Demonstrate cultural fit
Use your cover letter to demonstrate your fit with the company culture. Mention any shared values or experiences you have with the company, such as volunteering or involvement in industry-related organisations. Show that you'll be a good cultural fit and a positive addition to the team.
8. Conclude professionally
End your cover letter with a professional closing paragraph reiterating your interest in the position and expressing your enthusiasm for the opportunity to discuss your qualifications further. Thank the employer for considering your application and include a polite closing, such as "Sincerely" or "Best regards."
9. Proofread carefully
Surely your quality of education and experience is more important than perfect grammar, right? That may be true, but most employers are looking for someone with good attention to detail and checking your grammar will demonstrate this.
When it comes to spelling and grammar, the biggest thing we see when reading students’ cover letters is using the American spelling of words. Mostly when it comes to words like ‘organisation’ or ‘realise’, remembering that in Australia we use ‘s’ instead of ‘z’.
Consider using Grammarly or asking a friend/mentor to review it as well for feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Crafting a tailored cover letter is your secret weapon in the competitive job market. By investing time and effort into customising your cover letter for each application, you demonstrate not only your qualifications but also your genuine interest and dedication. So, don’t settle for a one-size-fits-all approach—take your cover letter from generic to standout. Show employers why you’re the perfect fit for their team, and watch your opportunities soar.
