Cover Letter Tips

Along with your resume, your cover letter gives recruiters their frst impression of you. Here are some tips on how to craft a cover letter that can grant you a golden ticket to an interview!

Acover leter may not be strictly required for all applicatons, but it’s a stll good-to-have document, especially for graduates looking for an advantage.

Afer all, a well-crafed cover leter shows hiring managers your sincerity, all while also informing them of your strengths and suitability for the role.

1 Be succinct and specifc

Be clear on the specifc positon you’re applying for. Explain why it’s of interest to you and convince the hiring manager that you’re a good ft.

The brief introducton of yourself at this point should also contain relevant experiences and interest in the job scope advertsed, as well as your highest educatonal qualifcaton.

You don’t have to ramble on too much about your personality, detailed academic background and skills – these are already on your resume. Also, be sure to avoid describing yourself with words such as “passionate” or “ambitous”; these qualites are beter exuded in person during the interview.

3 Show your enthusiasm

Spend some tme doing comprehensive research about your potental employer. Afer that, use the informaton you have to menton specifc aspects of the company operatons and culture that appeal to you in the cover leter.

For example, if you have atended networking events organised by the frm or visited its booth at a career fair, you can menton it in your cover leter.

If you’re in of contact with someone in the company whom you met through these events, you can menton his or her name. Showing your enthusiasm could score an advantage over other candidates.

2 Demonstrate your competence

Read the job descripton as advertsed and treat it like the holy grail. As such, your cover leter needs to address the selecton criteria by highlightng relevant experiences. In the same vein, explain how your skills could be put to good use in the specifc role.

For example, state how your keen interest in, and knowledge of, current afairs can help in a politcal risk advisory role where clients appreciate swif and actonable insights.

4 Do a thorough check

Last but not least, take a break from your cover leter and check it again later. You’re more likely to spot any mistakes with fresh eyes, so print it out and vet it.

If this is the frst tme you’re writng a cover leter, you may also want to get someone with a strong command of the English language to help you proofread it.

You can also explore the opton of using a spellchecker to prevent grammar mistakes as errors reveal a lack of atenton to detail. Keep in mind that recruiters are on the lookout for efectve communicators.

Sample cover letter

Dear Mr Lim,

I am writng to apply for the Programming Executve role with the Design Museum. My conversatons with current employees at your networking session in June this year have reinforced my interest in the museum and cemented my belief that I have the expertse and skills that you are looking for.

Through my three years of study at the School of Art, Design and Media at Singapore University (SU), which included a 10-week professional atachment with Art and Design Outreach, I developed an understanding of creatng impactul programmes for art and design insttutons.

In additon, I underwent a 6-month internship at the Taylor Print Insttute where I gained valuable experience in putng together a year-long public programme to atract diferent visitors through various platorms, including online media. I also promoted the exhibitons and events to the press, and ensured live events ran smoothly and drew sufcient crowd sizes.

My resume is enclosed for your consideraton. I am keen to discuss any opportunity in person and am available for an interview at any tme. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely, Edwina Tong