A well written, well researched cover letter is more important than your resume. A short cover letter that gives practical examples of how you have used the skills being sought gets employers reading your resume. This means doing pre-submission research to find out what the employer is looking for so that you can show how you can solve their problems and meet their needs.
- For private sector advertisements, a one page cover letter is sufficient.
- Do pre-submission research on the Internet. Research the company and the industry to identify current issues and industry trends to show how your skills and experience can address these problems.
- Grab the reader’s attention in the first sentence by demonstrating your passion or how you are unique and a “good match” for the role.
- Use practical examples and not management waffle.
- Think and write in a way that reflects the employers’ interests - not yours. Tell the employer how you will help them meet their goals.
Job Selection Criteria for
Public Service Job Applications
With letters of application to Local, State and the Federal Government, your “statement of claim” or letter addressing the selection criteria are read more closely than the resume. This is an evidence-based application process so use plenty of practical examples to show you have used the skills being sought.
When reading the selection criteria, pay close attention to the first word in the sentence. Knowledge, ability, experience, and good refer to different levels of skill.
Demonstrated Knowledge |
You must give examples to show you have this knowledge |
Ability To |
You do not need to have done this type of work previously, but you must show you have the skills to do it |
Experience In |
You have to have done this type of work previously and give practical examples |
Effective, Proven, Highly Developed, Superior |
You need to show your level of skill by giving examples of your achievements |
Good |
Give examples to show your skill level |
Techniques for Giving Examples
The STAR model is a method of answering selection criteria that provides evidence of how you meet the selection criteria. For every skill set being evaluated you need to summarise the situation, task, action and result.
Situation |
Set the context by providing a brief outline of the situation where you used the skill or quality being sought |
Task |
Outline what your role was |
Action |
Outline what and how you did it |
Result |
Describe the outcomes or results and how it relates to the job you are applying for |
What is the Hidden Job Market and How Do I Access It?
The term “hidden job market” refers to jobs that are not advertised on the Internet or in the newspapers. It is estimated that 75% of available jobs are never advertised. In order to tap this market, you need to develop a strategy to get yourself in the right place at the right time. Some solutions include cold calling employers, direct mail campaigns and networking.
1. Cold Calling Employers
Identify companies in your industry sector where you would like to work. Develop a short telephone introduction then phone the company with a view to seeing if there are any opportunities and then send them your resume.
2. Direct Mail Campaigns
This approach relies on mailing your resume and a short cover letter to employers. It is essential to ring the company first to find the right person to mail and then follow this up with another phone call seeking an interview.
3. Networking
The term networking is universally disliked. Don’t let this put you off. Networking simply means talking to people. It’s all about building relationships, asking for information and help with the objective of being remembered in a positive way. It’s critical that you develop your networking skills, because 70% of people get their next job through contacts. If you are only responding to advertised jobs, you are “waiting for your ship to come in”. By networking you get off your butt and hunt down job opportunities!
Most people have more contacts than they realise. Think about all the places you go where people congregate such as family, friends, school, sport, church, clubs and community groups. Add to this all your work contacts including former colleagues at new companies, customers, suppliers, contractors, competitors and other redundant staff. You now have the start of a network.
Now think about all the places you could go to meet others in the type of work or industry you want to work in. This includes for example, trade association meetings, conferences, exhibitions, open days, volunteer opportunities and other industry events. This dramatically opens up your networking opportunities.
Networking Rules
Develop a simple 2-3 sentence “elevator pitch” to introduce yourself when meeting contacts. For example “I’m an experienced real estate professional with strong business development skills. I was wondering if you had any advice about work opportunities in the industry.”
Ask for referrals. “Can you think of anyone in the industry I should talk to who may be aware of any opportunities”?
Do not ask for a job. The object of the networking exercise is to open up a conversation about opportunities and to get referral names and advice about where opportunities may exist. If you ask straight out for a job, the answer will most likely be “no” and that’s the end of the conversation. Ask for advice, information, suggestions and referrals, not a job!
When you ask for information, you will find most people want to talk to you and are genuinely helpful. You are not selling and you are engaging the other person in a conversation about their favourite topics, themselves and their work.
Overcome your initial nervousness by thinking of networking as a conversation with a friend. If pride prevents you putting the message out that you want and need work, then way up the consequences. Better to get the message out that you need work, than stay home with your pride in tact going broke.
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