STEM | HOW TO GET HIRED
COVER LETTER TIPS FOR THE GRADUATE STEM SPECIALIST Convince employers that you are the right person for the job with an attractive cover letter.
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any STEM graduates have a fairly wide range of career options open to them, and are highly sought-after for their numerical skills and problem-solving abilities outside the STEM sectors. Within it, however, there are a wide range of fields they can choose from. Your cover letter, therefore, is a chance to convince your prospective employer that you want to work in the industry, for their specific organisation, and in the job role advertised. Here are some tips on how you can successfully sell yourself to recruiters with a cover letter.
Research matters! The trick is to have a clear idea as to what the company does and what the job entails. From there, draw out evidence of your own skills, interests and experience that relate to this. At the same time, keep in mind that flattery such as “I am applying to you because you are a vibrant, international company that is a market leader in the automotive industry” will not get you anywhere. A far better approach, however, is to: • Clearly state your career aim. • Specify what attracts you to the employer. For instance, you could mention a couple of projects the company has been involved in that piqued your interest. • Mention a work placement, project, or module you enjoyed that relates to the position you are gunning for. Showing an understanding of the organisation in your cover letter will illustrate that you have done your research. Additionally, pick out key bits that fit in with your application and connect them to yourself.
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STEM Career Guide 2021
Accuracy and professionalism – vital for graduates Careers in the STEM industries demand not just professionalism, but accuracy too, whether for communicating effectively with clients, suppliers and non-technical colleagues, or even ensuring calculations are correct. Make sure your use of written English in your cover letter reassures recruiters that you have these qualities. If written communication is not your strong suit, refresh your knowledge of punctuation and grammar before you begin, and run draft copies of your cover letter through trusted friends or career advisers.
