1. COVER LETTERS
Top 5 things Recruiters/ Hiring Managers look for in a cover letter
Readability
A sense of your personality
How you found out about the job opening
Something interest peaking, such as a major accomplishment
Evidence that you have researched the company
Why include a cover letter?
A cover letter is your first sales tool to give the hiring manager or recruiter reason to read
your Resume. A well written cover letter will concisely convey the relevant experience you
have for the role and how you will add value to the employer.
A cover letter will be particularly useful if your background does not specifically meet all their
requirements at first glance. In this instance you can use the cover letter to identify situations
where you demonstrated the skills asked for in the role, e.g. you may have outside interests,
done voluntary work, or been involved in projects outside your standard job description.
Content
Read the advertisement carefully, sometimes you will be specifically asked to include a cover
letter or to provide certain information. Not doing this can mean you will automatically be
overlooked for the position.
Keep your letter brief and avoid duplicating what is in your Resume. On reading your cover
letter, the Hiring Manager should be assured that you have the skills they have asked for and
want to open your resume to find out more. However it is best to avoid telling the Hiring
Manager that you are perfect for the role as they have more information than you to make
this decision. Instead align your experience with the competencies asked for in the
advertisement.
If you are applying from outside of the city/country, where the job is located, it is important
that you provide the reasons why you are looking to relocate and provide a guide as to when
you will be in the area or country and available for interviews.
If you are not a Citizen of the country it will serve you well to provide your current work status
for that country, i.e. Permanent Resident, Open Work Visa, Holiday Visa etc, not providing
this information will raise questions regarding your suitability, as this can lengthen the
process beyond the client’s timeframe.
Format
Write and format your cover letter so that it is no longer than 1 page
Use a formal letter format with your name, contact details and date at the top
Address the letter to the person listed in the advertisement (rather than Dear Sir/Madam)
Choose language that is professional, engaging and natural, avoid cliché’s or overly
formal terms such as herewith or aforementioned

2. Use bullet points to highlight key selling points
Address the selection criteria written in the advertisement
Demonstrate that you have researched the company (if identified)
End your letter positively and assertively, without being pushy
Proofread to check for mistakes
Avoid duplicating words and beginning too many sentences with “I”