SIM Career Guide 2021

Page 77

HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF TO EMPLOYERS

How to Write Effective Cover Letters If an employer requests a resume, they usually want a cover letter, too. Do not let go of this opportunity to showcase your skills and enthusiasm — it can make a big difference to the success of your job application!

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convincing cover letter should always accompany your resume when you apply for a graduate job. It is an extra opportunity to highlight your most relevant skills to recruiters and demonstrate your motivation and enthusiasm for the job. Here is our four-step guide to effectively sell your skills through your cover letter!

Step #1:

Get your opening right

After your salutations, inform the recruiter which job, internship or scheme you are applying for, where you saw it advertised and why you are applying. If the position has a reference number, it is always good to include that for their easy reference. Always address your cover letter to a named contact. Give the organisation a call to find out who you should address your job application to if a name is not given on the job advertisement or their website. Ensure you correctly address the person’s title, e.g. Mr, Miss, or even Dr. Some recruiters may feel quite strongly about how they are addressed.

Step #2:

Answer the question “Why you?”

The first paragraph or two should be about you. Convince the employer why you are well-suited to the role by referring directly to the job description and concentrating on how you have the skills, abilities and/ or knowledge to excel in the role you are gunning for. Mix evidence of specific skills and knowledge related to the job with anecdotes from your personal experience. At the graduate level, it is still fine to refer to work experience that is not directly related to the profession you are applying to, as long as you can show how that experience or skill can be transferred to the prospective job.

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Use examples from your experiences doing parttime jobs, extracurricular activities and academic work to demonstrate how you developed and practised skills such as communication, teamwork, time management and commercial awareness. Avoid copying statements word-for-word from your resume. Think about how you can rephrase the information or expand on specific skills and achievements that match the needs of the role.

Step #3:

Then, answer the question “Why them?”

The next paragraph or so should explain why you are interested in both the job and the organisation. What is it about the employer and/or the job that made you apply? This is your opportunity to customise your cover letter so that the recruiter knows your interest in the position, instead of blasting out cookiecutter resumes and cover letters to a dozen different companies. Re-read the job ad and make sure you have done some background research into the organisation. This will help you tell the recruiter why you want to work for their company and why you are interested in this particular role. If you prefer, you could even switch steps #3 with #2 around and write about why you are applying to the employer first. As long as you answer both the questions of “Why you?” and “Why them?” in your cover letter, the exact order does not matter. Provide specific reasons when discussing your motivations for applying, such as the training they provide. Avoid turgid statements that could be said about pretty much any employer, such as “because you are a prestigious company”.

SIM CAREER GUIDE 2021

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Articles inside

Preparing for Your First Day of Work

4min
pages 94-95

How to Write a Professional Email

3min
pages 82-83

Dress to Win

5min
pages 84-85

How to Upgrade Yourself

25min
pages 96-112

4 Types of Interviews

5min
pages 88-89

Acing Assessment Centres

4min
pages 90-91

Accepting Job Offers: Accepting and Declining

6min
pages 92-93

Networking for Success

6min
pages 86-87

How to Write Effective Cover Letters

9min
pages 77-79

Crafting Effective Resumes

7min
pages 74-76

LinkedIn 101: How to Optimise Your Profile

4min
pages 80-81

4 Qualities Employers Look For

3min
pages 72-73

Rules of Getting Hired

3min
pages 66-67

5 Essential Soft Skills

4min
pages 68-69

Not in IT? Here are 5 Technical Skills You Still Need to Know About

4min
pages 70-71

Top 3 Things to Look Out for in a First Job

3min
pages 64-65

Job Searching: The Ultimate Guide

3min
pages 62-63

Managing Your Wellness for Success

1min
pages 60-61

Explore the World with AIESEC

3min
pages 57-59

Project Protégé

2min
pages 52-53

Exploring Internships

27min
pages 35-47

Choosing What is Best for You: MNCs, SMEs or Startups

8min
pages 32-34

Global Learning

4min
pages 54-56

Management Trainee Programme vs SGUnited Traineeship vs Apprenticeship

12min
pages 48-51

Industry Insights

15min
pages 24-29

Career Champs

3min
pages 30-31

How Career Connect Can Help You

3min
pages 7-9

360 Degree Development Programme

3min
pages 16-17

Your 1095 Journey

1min
page 6

SIM Alumni

0
pages 22-23

SIM EDGE Awards

4min
pages 18-21

A Message for Our Students

1min
page 4

Talent Development Programme (TDP

5min
pages 12-15

What is Project 1095?

2min
page 5
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