Our Job Search Coach Jannie Allen shares her insider tips.
"The cover letter is a claim for the role – it is your chance to highlight and match your experience against the job description and to clearly state what you can offer your potential employer.
It is a targeted single-page document to the person who advertised the position. It is often your first point of contact with an employer/recruiter to get them interested in reading your CV and interviewing you."
- Why you are interested in the role
- Your relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments
- Evidence that you have researched the company and that you would be a good fit.
Before you start the main part of the letter, write your mobile number, email address and Skype ID at the top left-hand side of the letter.
Follow this by the date and then write Re: followed by the title of the job you are applying for and a reference number if it’s provided.
Check the listing carefully as this reference is often at the end of the ad.
Then follow with a greeting, addressing the person by name (if at all possible).
Open with a strong statement giving the reason you are applying for the position.
What you have you been doing, relevant to the role you are applying for. Be skills/achievements focused and focused on what you can bring to the company rather than what the company can do for you.
What kind of person are you (hint: mention your qualities which are aligned to the role)
Your motivation for wanting to settle in NZ and why you want to live in that particular area. Invite the reader to contact you if they have any questions about your application.
If a contact person is mentioned in the listing, it is recommended that you make a connection, preferably by phoning them, so that you can introduce yourself and ask some questions about the role. That way your application will stand out.
In conclusion, in your cover letter you need to present a strong case for the best matched skills and experience against the job description.
Never send out a generic letter as this is one way to communicate that you have not tried to research the role or the company, and that you are not genuinely interested.
Anna was worth her weight in gold---she was fantastic at helping me format my CV and search for jobs that suited my skill set. In the end, I got a great job in a great city. Carsten and his team were very thorough and helpful when it came time to apply for and get our visas. They are now helping us with our resident visas, and I'm certain that the process will be the same. I'd recommend them highly.
The great work done before has surely helped to achieve this quick positive result. NZIC are really professional and know what to do when to do it and how to do it. That is so convenient and efficient! I’m still working with them for the next steps and would like to thank them again for their help and support. Thank you. Kind Regards.
NZIC guided me all the way through getting my first work visa to permanent residency. Their job seeking support was key when I first arrived in NZ, communication was always easy and clear. I'm very thankful for their help and definitely recommend their services.
Dear Jannie, just want to drop a note to thank for your everything. Your help is much appreciated! You are a wonderful and professional job search coach! I am so lucky to have you supporting me!
