Delicious cover letters with

tasty selection criteria

Chris Downey, Brisbane City Council

Imagine you are making a cake, which you hope to enter into a cooking competition

You collect some ingredients

Eggs, Flour, Sugar, Butter

You mix the ingredients, put in pan, and place in the oven

When the cake is cooked, you take it out the oven, and let it cool.

You add some icing, and place the cake in a nice tin

On the day of the cooking competition, the winners are announced…

1 st place2nd place3rd place

You didn’t win any of them.

What did I do wrong you think to yourself?

It was tasty and looked nice

Imagine… a cover letter is a cake…key selection criteria are the Ingredients … the cooking competition is gaining an interview

Objectives• Explore how create the most delicious cover letter that

employers will enjoy• Explore the ingredients to effectively addressing key

selection criteria

The problem…• Chances are, there are plenty of people that may

have the right ingredients (just like most people can cook a decent cake)

The opportunity• You need to discuss how you FIT with the role

more than any other candidate (you make the best tasting cake!!)

Selection Criteria:

Exactly what you are supposed to FIT with!

Showing “FIT”• Link your previous experience to the role

requirements by drawing similarities (same company size, similar equipment, similar projects, similar stakeholders etc.)

• Make clear comparisons between your international experience and what is expected in the company (make your overseas experience seem like a “value add”)

• Mention your English competencies within a work environment (e.g. experience with “international consultancies”, reports often written and presented in English

Showing “FIT”

• Provide strong examples of how you have applied your skills (including achievements)

• Show you understand their business now and the future (RESEARCH!)

• The most important it to demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria!!

How to Identify Selection Criteria

Typical Structure of Job Ads

1. About the company/industry2. The role:

duties/responsibilities3. What they are looking for

= SELECTION CRITERIA!

• SEEK AD

Selection Criteria - Things to watch out for

• Many different ways a recruiter can include selection criteria in the job ad

• Many different ways a recruiter can ask you to respond to selection criteria – read the ad carefully! – “Include your resume and cover letter with your applications

(you are not required to address selection criteria)”– “Outline your ability to meet the selection criteria for this role

in less than two pages”• Whether it is stated clearly or not, a recruiter is

assessing you against a set of criteria

Writing the Cover Letter

• Refer to the Job Ad Instructions

Unless otherwise instructed:• Respond with examples where possible: use the SAO method.• Aim for 1-2 Selection criteria per paragraph.• Give only relevant information in your response.• Respond to all selection criteria to show BEST FIT

• Always show how you fit the role.• Always tailor your application.

Writing the Cover Letter: Key points

• Expression of interest in the role• A personal advertisement• Spell out your key attributes in relation to the role

using same language• Make direct links between your ability and the Key

Selection Criteria• Never send the exact same cover letter for two

different jobs!

Writing the letter: The Structure

1. Introduction – An expression of interest & Key points regarding your FIT

2. Body – More detailed response to selection criteria (including examples)

3. Conclusion and invitation to review resume

There is no “one right way” but….

Introduction: Paragraph 1

Ashraya Mavani123 Jump St, South Brisbane QLD 4101(p) (07) 3372 1234(m)0455216216(e) ashraya.mavani@hotmail.com

22 January 2013

Terry Samson Recruitment ManagerNRG consulting

Dear Terry,

Please accept my application for the position of Senior Engineer within NRG (Job no: 828971) as advertised on the seek website on 21st January, 2013.

Introduction: Paragraph 2

I am an xxx Professional currently working as a xxx. I completed an xxxx at xxxxxxxxxxxx in 2009, specializing in xxxxxxxxxxx, and have gained 4 years experience (including 18 months Australian experience) xxxxxxxxxx focussed roles.

ExampleI am an Engineering Professional currently in search of an senior engineering role within a large resources company. I completed a Bachelor of Civil Engineering in 2005, and have since gained 5 years experience providing detailed design, site supervision, project management and leadership on a wide range of resources projects with budgets exceeding $2 million dollars. I am now looking for an opportunity to immediately apply my strengths gained over the last 5 years to the context of the Australian Engineering environment.

The Body

The Body of the Cover Letter….

• Your opportunity to really convince the recruiter that you are the ideal candidate for the role (the ideal FIT)

• HOW: – Address the selection criteria using examples

wherever possible– Use the SAO method

Response to Selection Criteria: Body of Letter

The SAO MethodIn answering each requirement and providing an example you maywish to adopt the SAO approach:

• Situation –outline the situation/environment• Action – clearly identity what action you took and

your role • Outcome – what was the outcome from your action

Keep your application clear, concise and accurate. It is important to comply with any word or page limits.

Response to Selection Criteria: SAO example

Criterion: Experienced in working collaboratively with managers on projects in a team environment

While working as a Senior Pavement Design Engineer in ABC Engineering, I was responsible for developing a rehabilitation plan and preparing all technical reports for the repair, upgrade and maintenance of a 180km highway.

Situation

While working as a Senior Pavement Design Engineer in ABC Engineering, I was responsible for developing a rehabilitation plan and preparing all technical reports for the repair, upgrade and maintenance of a 180km highway.

Actions – Selection Criteria

In order to do this I communicated and negotiated with the client to clarify their expectations and requirements, as well as conducted meetings with managers to present technical explanations and source the most cost and time effective solutions for the project.

Situation

While working as a Senior Pavement Design Engineer in ABC Eng, I was responsible for developing a rehabilitation plan and preparing all technical reports for the repair, upgrade and maintenance of a 180km highway.

Actions – Selection Criteria

In order to do this I communicated and negotiated with the client to clarify their expectations and requirements, as well as conducted meetings with managers to present technical explanations and source the most cost and time effective solutions for the project.

Situation

As a result of my contribution, the proposed plans were accepted and the project was completed with a higher level of technical accuracy and viability, which led to its completion within deadlines and $580,000 below budget.

Outcomes

Selection Criteria Sample Structure

Situation = “In my previous role as……”, “I was responsible for ……”

Action = “In order to achieve this, I …… …… ……

……”Outcomes = “The result of this was ……”

Conclusion: Final Paragraph • Further express your suitability and interest in the

role.• Invite reader to view attached documents.• Sign off.

ExampleI am keen to apply my advanced project management skills and strengths to the Senior Engineer position at NRG and believe my knowledge, skills and experience will be an asset in this role. My resume outlining my various skills and experience, together with the names and telephone numbers of referees is attached. I would be pleased to attend an interview to discuss my application and can be contacted at the above address or telephone numbers to arrange a time.

Yours sincerely,Ashraya Mavani

 

Writing the Cover Letter

• Refer to the Job Ad Instructions

Unless otherwise instructed:• Respond with examples where possible: use the SAO method.• Aim for 1-2 Selection criteria per paragraph.• Give only relevant information in your response.• Respond to all selection criteria to show BEST FIT

• Always show how you fit the role.• Always tailor your application.

Frequently asked questions

How many of the key selection criteria do you need to address in your cover letter?

Frequently asked questions

What are recruiter’s hoping to find in your cover letter that they can’t find in your resume?

Frequently asked questions

What is more important to a recruiter in a cover letter?

a) Your ability to do the role (skills)

OR

b) Your interest in the role (passion)

Join the MEIP program!

Email: meip@brisbane.qld.gov.au

Free assistance with resume, cover letter and interviews!

One last thing…

If you do make a delicious cake, please save me a piece!