Cover Letters
Cover letters are both generic and targeted. The generic one-page letters can be manipulated with small adjustments to cover similar jobs and should highlight some substantiated accomplishments and abilities. These are highly suitable for jobs in the private sector. However, you want a cover letter that stands out on merit. One that sells you into the job. A quick note telling employers your interest and similar background will not do it. You need to showcase your talents and tell them what you can do for them amidst the stiff competition. This will intrigue them. Be reminded that robots pick up key words from the letter too, not just for resumes. The other type of letter is the job specific cover letter.
To eliminate a lengthy application, some government departments are now requesting a targeted letter to replace a selection criteria as a one or two-page limit document (1000 words maximum as a statement of claims) in response to a position to supplement the targeted resume. Your interest in the role, why you want to work for the agency and how your skills and experience suit the role should be expressed, taking into account the key accountabilities for the role. In addition, any essential requirements should also be
captured inside the letter.
Some applications request two pre-screening questions (key responses) to be included as part of the application. These can be incorporated within the letter or as a separate request as part of the assessment process. The pre-screening questions should be presented with an example incorporating the focus capabilities for the role at the required level. These are the capabilities in which occupants must demonstrate immediate competence along with the position description. Please carefully look inside the online application, to ensure that there are no surprises.
Statement of Claims
What is
A Statement of Claims evidences that you meet the requirements of the advertised position through a concise application. These vary between one or two-page submissions, where you furnish the reasons for your application and the skills that you can offer as these relate to the position. The information should comply strictly with requirements regarding length and format which may differ between various positions and seniority of the role
How to
When considering how to respond to the statement of claims your answers should be short and specific to highlight your claim to the role. You should provide details of the role that you are applying for and a brief introduction about yourself. This should include a summary of your relevant skills, experience, attributes, knowledge and qualifications as these apply to the position. It is wise to emphasis some examples of your achievements,especially if they feature some of the skills required. Also look at the challenges specified in the role and try to reflect on similar experience. Always refer to these using a STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
We can help
If you are still struggling to address the Statement of Claims our experienced professionals can do thisfor you. It is much easier for a specialistto find a correlation between your demonstrated skills and the requirements of the advertised position, then it is for you to sift through a mountain of information relating to your experiences. To do this, we will study the position description, and review you resume and career documents and consult with you to further delve into your experience to cover the requirements.
After payment, you need to upload the job link, your resume, the job number and date that the application is due as well as any previous submissions you have made, if any, which will provide us with insights into your working /study environment. However, we will also contact you to extract more information to write the submission according to the requirements.
Notice
Please do not leave your application until the last minute as we run a tight schedule, so the more time we have, the more time to prepare. You need to give us at least four days’ notice otherwise you will attract an additional fee.
Please note, your resume needs to reflect the same standard as your capability statement is written as this is also considered in the assessment process. The resume should have relevance to the role that you are applying for, be error free and neatly presented. We can advise you, but we will not be responsible for changing any content of your resume unless a new resume has been ordered, after which we will link everything together.
Cover letter addressing the targeted questions
What is
A Cover Letter Addressing the Targeted Questions is another way to evidence your suitability to the advertised position using a more concise application. This varies between a one to two-page submission, and requires you to give details of the position that you are applying for, a brief introduction of yourself summarizing your relevance to the role. This includes skills, qualifications and experience. In the statement you will be required to address no more than two (2) capability-based Targeted Questions to evidence your suitability for this role.
How to
Targeted, capability-based questions are directly related to the responsibilities of the advertised position. These are designed to substantiatey our experience involving similar situations using the specified skills of the capabilities listed for each job. You should evidence your examples using a STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This stage qualifies your application against the programmed criterion set out to capture the essential skills required to prove that you can adequately perform the job responsibilities.
Also, please remember that the field used in the Online application uses only simple formatting so your letter should be presented the same way using ano-frillsMicrosoft Word document.
We can help
If you are still struggling to address a Cover Letter Addressing the Targeted Questions our experienced professionals can help you. It is much easier for a specialist to find a correlation between your demonstrated skills and the requirements of the advertised position, then it is for you to sift through a mountain of information relating to your experiences to pull out examples. To do this, we will study the position description, and review your resume and career documents. We will then consult with you to further delve into your experience to encompass the necessary capabilities needed to be demonstrated in your application. These need to be directly related to thecresponsibilities of the advertised position.
After payment, you need to upload the job link, your resume, the job number and date that the application is due as well as any previous submissions you have made, if any, which will provide us with insights into your working /study environment. However, we will always contact you to extract the required information to write the submission according to the requirements.
Notice
Please do not leave your application until the last minute as we run a tight schedule, so the more time we have, the more time to prepare. You need to give us at least four days’ notice otherwise you will attract an additional fee.
Please note, your resume needs to reflect the same standard as your capability statement as this is also considered in the assessment process. The resume should have relevance to the role that you are applying for, be error free and neatly presented. We can advise you, but we will not be responsible for changing any content of your resume unless a new resume has been ordered, after which we will link everything together.
Targeted questions
What is
Targeted, capability-based questions are directly related to the responsibilities of the advertised position and it is the first step of the elimination process. This is a quick and efficient way to reduce the need to sight applications if the specified skills cannot be demonstrated at this early stage.
How to
Targeted, capability-based questions are designed to substantiateyour experience against the specified capabilities outlined. You should evidence your examples using a STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This is a crucial stage and must qualify your application against the programmed criterions set out to capture the essential skills required to prove that you can adequately perform the job responsibilities.
We can help
If you are struggling to write your examples, it is much easier for a professional to find a correlation between your demonstrated skills and the requirements of the advertised position, then it is for you to sift through a mountain of information relating to your experiences. To do this, we will study the position description, and review your resume and career documents. We will then consult with you to further delve into your experience to encompass the necessary capabilities needed to be demonstrated in your application directly related to the responsibilities of the advertised position.
After payment, you need to upload the job link, your resume, the job number and date that the application is due as well as any previous submissions you have made, if any, which will provide us with insights into your working /study environment. However, we will always contact you to extract the required information to write the submission according to the requirements.
Notice
Please do not leave your application until the last minute as we run a tight schedule, so the more time we have, the more time to prepare. You need to give us at least four days’ notice otherwise you will attract an additional fee.
Please note, your resume needs to reflect the same standard as your targeted questions as this is also considered in the assessment process. The resume should have relevance to the role that you are applying for, be error free and neatly presented. We can advise you, but we will not be responsible for changing any content of your resume unless a new resume has been ordered, after which we will link everything together.