Job Application Writing - Importance of Cover Letter

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Job
Application Writing Is a Cover Letter required?

• One of the key issues in job application writing
  is the cover letter or letter of introduction.
• The question of a cover letter came up recently
  with one client who wanted to know if they should
  write a cover letter (or more to the point have
  us write them a cover letter) when applying for a
  vacant position.
• A well crafted cover letter is generally vital in
  applying for any job UNLESS the application
  requirements specifically state they do not want
  a cover letter and just the Resume, or CV.

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• The cover letter is often forgotten about and is
  the poor cousin in the job application process
  and most job applicants really give little effort
  or thought in preparing their cover letter.
• To me a compelling and interesting letter of
  introduction/cover letter is THE most important
  document in your job application arsenal.
• A great cover letter will capture the interest of
  the reader and encourage them to read your Resume
  or CV.
• This is your chance to sell, sell, sell yourself
  and to get them to find out more.

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• A Cover letter of a paragraph or two just will
  not cut the mustard.
• Conversely you dont want to prepare a cover
  letter encompassing page after page but a good
  cover letter will be informative, give the reader
  an insight into your career, provide an overview
  of your skills and encourage them to arrange an
  interview.
• Following are the key components of a cover
  letter that every job applicant needs to
  include-
• Address tag preferably a name, their position
  and the contact details of the organisation or
  company advertising the position
• Date the date that you prepared the letter
• Subject identify what position you are applying
  for what is the reference number etc
•  

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• Introduction in your first paragraph introduce
  yourself and state that you are applying for
  position x and identify what documents you are
  including in your application i.e. CV/Resume,
  Response to Selection Criteria etc.
• Content In the body of your cover letter you
  need to identify your current employment status
  if you are employed and what position you
  currently work in and maybe even detail how long
  you have been in that position or with that
  organisation especially if you have been with the
  same organisation for a while.
• If you are unemployed I would refrain from
  stating that and instead move on to giving a
  brief synopsis of your career history showing how
  this experience correlates with the position you
  are applying for now.

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• Every cover letter needs to give a brief
  overview of your experience and relate this to
  the vacant position.
• Then you should provide an overview of your
  skills and again show how these relate to the
  position.
• For instance if the vacant job advertisement
  identifies they are looking for someone with
  managerial skills, team skills and communication
  skills briefly discuss how you have demonstrated
  these over your career.
• Summary/Conclusion in the last paragraph or two
  you summarise your experience/skills, maybe your
  reason for applying and identify a call to action
  ie to have them contact you to arrange an
  interview.

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• Following these steps will assist you in
  preparing a robust cover letter. Remember this is
  your chance to market yourself so dont waste it.
  
• A great cover letter is vital in job application
  writing and the skilled job application writer
  will make the cover letter a winner!
• Contact us at Red Tape Busters -
  http//www.redtapebusters.com/ should you require
  more information about this article or if you
  require specialist job application writing or
  grant and tender writing experience to help your
  organisation or business win grant funding or
  achieve successes with tenders.

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  services-
• Lobbying
• Tender Writing
• Grant Writing
• Resumes/Job Applications
• Organisational/Business Development.
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  417PO Box 3126WARNER QLD 4500Telephone 07
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