Cover Letter Tips
Application Tips
Types of Applications
The job application process for graduates can be very daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Job applications are an important part of a graduate’s life once university is finished as they are necessary to achieve the main goal of a university education - obtaining a job. People are not taught how to undertake a job search, it is a life skill that once you dedicate some time and effort into perfecting, will be invaluable to you for the rest of your career and working life.
There are many different ways for a graduate to secure a job. Companies may use several recruiting methods in their search for the right applicant: direct recruiting via their company website, recruiting via a recruitment consultancy or recruitment agency, advertising on online jobboards or having a stand at a graduate recruitment fair. The more applications you make, the higher your chances are of getting an interview so below is some useful advice to get you started.
To introduce and set the tone for your application, a cover letter should always be sent with a CV. The cover letter is your way to introduce yourself to a potential employer and to highlight your experience and skills relevant to the job specification. This is your chance to demonstrate to an employer why they should consider hiring you.
What you want the employer to know
You have excellent written communication skills.
You are of good character and have dedication.
That they want to talk to you!
Areas you need to cover
- Start off by directing your letter to the individual who was specified in the job advert – the letter should always be addressed to a named person.
- Introduce yourself – say who you are.
- Mention the job you’re applying for, state any reference number and where you saw the advertisement.
- Explain why you are right for the position including briefly stating your skills, education and work experience.
- Explain why you want to work for their company and why you would be right for the position itself – let them know you have done your research on the company.
- Thank them for considering your application, tell them you’re looking forward to hearing from them and let them know you’re available for an interview.
Rules of the cover letter
- Be positive - using positive language will help you to come across as approachable and confident.
- Double-check your spacing, grammar and spelling.
- Make sure all names and titles are correctly spelled.
- Explain any personal situations or any inconsistencies in your application.
- Convey how you would be of benefit to the company rather than focusing on how the company could benefit you.
- Keep your letter to one page – this will encourage the employer to read and pay full attention to the entire letter.
- Make sure the cover letter matches your CV with regards to font, spacing, style, paper etc.
Remember a cover letter is particularly useful to highlight any work placements, internships or a gap year - this will make you stand out from the other graduates applying for the same position. This information should also be on you CV but in much greater detail.
Sample cover letter
This is a sample cover letter to give you an idea on how to write your own.
Dear
Re: (insert job title, reference number)
In response to the advertised position on (insert where you saw advert) on (insert date), please consider my CV in your search for a (insert job title). This is an ideal job for me given my interest for ______, my related experience and qualifications.
(Job area interest) has always been an interest to me, which is why I chose to (insert related work experience or relevant qualification). I obtained a (insert grade) in ______ in (insert year) and have been (insert what you have been doing since then if relevant). I am a confident user of (insert appropriate name of software, e.g. Word) and have worked extensively with (insert another package that you have worked with or skill that is required for the position you are applying).
As you can see from my CV, I've taken the opportunity to gain (insert relevant qualification or skill), which has helped me in my previous (work experience) as a ______. I'm responsible for (insert responsibility that you would like to highlight for the position and expand on it). I've also (insert another skill/requirement that you have done in the past that is required in the position you are applying for).
I am available for an interview at your convenience and look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Your Name
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Before you begin
The application form
Personal statement and competency questions
Sample of a personal statement
Companies use the application process as a tool to sift through candidates to streamline the list of people to interview. Before beginning an application, make sure that you research the company as this will enable you to make intelligent and more considered responses to each of the questions on the application form. Look at the competitors in their industry – find out about the differences between the company you're applying to and their competition as it is always helpful to know what sets businesses apart from one another. When you are sure that you have done as much research as you can do on the company, you are ready to look at the application form. If you don’t make a great application, you are unlikely to get shortlisted for an interview.
- Pay attention to detail.
- Read and follow the instructions on the application form.
- Organise yourself - gather all the information you’ll need in advance that is relevant to the application.
- Take your time to make it perfect (or as perfect as it can be).
- To better organise yourself make a list of the companies that you’re applying to including a list of the contacts at each company. It is important to do this so you know what jobs you have applied for and when. This will enable you to easily keep track of the applications you have made.
- Make sure you read each question thoroughly on the application form. Once you have done that, reread them! People often do not answer a question properly because they have misinterpreted what is being asked. Once you have written your answer, reread the question and your answer to ensure your response is fluent and answers the question fully.
- Some graduates rush through applications without giving them their full dedication and concentration. An application is one way to make a first impression on a potential employer so do take it seriously
- If you have a paper application form, make a copy of it so you can fill that in first and transfer the information to the hard copy once you are satisfied with your answers. If the application is online, copy down the questions first and answer them offline before inputting your answers to the online form.
- Make sure you understand your skills and how they match the position that you're applying for. Keep a copy of all your applications so if you are shortlisted, you can refer back to that specific application. Avoid the temptation to copy an answer from one application form to another - although the questions may seem similar, it is important to tailor your response to each individual company that you’re applying to.
- At the end of most applications there will be a section for references, data protection, diversity and equal opportunities. Be sure you get permission from your referees before listing them and choose people who will give you a good reference!
Sometimes you will be asked to write a personal statement to support your application. If employers don’t use a personal statement in their application process they may use competency questions. Personal statements and competency questions are purposely used to find out how well you, your skills and your experience match the person specification of the role you’re applying to. They want applicants to show how they handled an experience or used a skill in a situational context as that enables them to see how the applicants manage themselves. They will most likely be testing your communication, problem solving, organisational and decision making skills. You could mention events from university whether they are academic or activity related.
- Make sure you answer the question(s) being asked.
- Read what you have written out loud to ensure that what you have put together is coherent and concise.
- Back up each skill that you mention by giving examples - you can summarise the situation or experience that you are referring to. You should emphasise that you are willing to learn new skills.
- The employer is looking for clear, coherent and relevant information to support your applications so make sure you directly relate your experience and skills in the personal statement or in your answers to the competency questions to the job specification.
The main difference between competency questions and personal statements is the length of the answer. A personal statement usually requires a short essay-type response whereas competency questions would normally be answered with shorter answers. If there is a personal statement in an application form there is usually only one question and if there are competency questions there are usually up to five. These questions can be time consuming however it does help to highlight skills beyond what is written on your CV so take your time answering them.
- Tell us about a talent, experience, contribution or personal quality that you will bring to this company.
- Tell us about a time when you have had to use influencing skills.
- What are your reasons for applying for this position?
- What are your career goals?
- What personal characteristics do you have that would make you successful in this profession?
- Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships in your life?
How to answer competency questions or write a personal statement
Be positive – show how you learned something useful, whether it be a skill or an outcome
Focus on what you did and the skills and methods you used.
Make sure you fully explain the situation to give your reader context – this can be tricky as you do not want to be long winded.
Sample personal statement
This is a sample Personal Statement to give you an idea of how to write your own.
When writing a personal statement you are going to be using a standard essay format in response to a question - below is a simple way to structure your answer.
Introduction
This is where you introduce yourself and tell the employer your reasons for pursuing the open graduate position. It is important to engage them in the statement as the employers will be reading many applications and you have to give them a good impression of your writing, thinking and communication abilities.
Body of the answer
Answer the Personal Statement Question – Think about and collect experiences from university and previous work experience that has served as groundwork that would make you eligible for this position. Describe here how your interest, knowledge, personal qualities and university qualifications would help you compete against other applicants for this particular position. This is where you want to provide examples – focus on classes you took and specific projects you did, you can explain research you have done and you will be able to mention your work placement experience. Focus on your determination to achieve your goals, initiative and ability in developing ideas and capacity for working through problems independently. Make sure you discuss your knowledge and accomplishments in your degree your qualifications and how they relate to what you intend to do in your position particular learning experiences that demonstrate your motivation and inspiration for continued learning other relevant experience such as internships, community activities, jobs, volunteer experience etc. Let them know you have initiative, leadership skills, confidence, ability to take responsibility, organisational skills, how you cope with new experiences, interpersonal skills, what challenges you have faced, specific achievements, languages, special IT skills etc.
Elaborate on how you aim to combine your knowledge and experience from university to achieve your career goals. You can also state other abilities you have learned at school and from work experience (e.g. responsibility, teamwork) Leave them thinking about your future with them, your ambitions and personal expectations.
Conclusion
Leave the employer with a strong sense that you are qualified for the position and that you will be successful in the position you’re applying for.
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Online applications
An online application is the most common way to apply for IT graduate recruitment schemes. The majority of companies use their own website to advertise jobs and to handle applications from graduate jobseekers. Graduate career information is usually highlighted in a dedicated career section on the website, which is a fantastic way to begin gathering information for the application process.
- Look through the website first and print off the application before beginning it.
- Have your information (i.e. contact information, education and employment background) organised so you are well prepared.
Email applications
Another popular method employers use are email applications. This usually entails putting your cover letter as the body of the email and attaching your CV. To guarantee you are taken seriously, make sure your email address is appropriate and professional (i.e. sexyitgirl@home.co.uk is not an appropriate email address).
- Check your email for errors –including spelling and grammar.
- Put the title of the position you’re applying for in the subject line.
- Send a test email to yourself first to test and proof it.
- Blind copy yourself in so you have a copy of what you have sent.
Paper applications
This method was once the most popular way to apply for graduate positions and sometimes paper applications are still used. If you are asked to use this method make sure you take a copy of the application to practise on.
- Write clearly and neatly using blue or black ink.
- Double check that you have signed and dated your application.
- Photocopy the completed application form so you have a record of what you’ve sent to that employer.
- Use registered mail to send the application.
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