Applying For a Government Job - How to Nail Your Cover Letter For Positions With selection Criteria

Applying for a government job is a bit like doing a jigsaw puzzle. It's sometimes difficult to work out how to fit the pieces together to originate the right picture. Many organizations wish you to complete a Cover Form or Application Form, so do you need to supply a cover letter as well?

Yes, you do!

Jigsaw Name Puzzles

This is because a cover letter provides someone else opening to 'sell' yourself. It provides the opening to highlight your achievements and show the manager how your contact and skills can help them to accomplish their goals.

Here's an easy step-by-step guide for writing a cover letter for a role that includes choice criteria:

1. Put the job title and vacancy reference estimate under the date in bold, e.g. Re position: buyer aid Officer (A03) Vrn: 335/06.
2. Find out the name of the someone who will be reading your application and personally address your letter, checking that you have the literal, spelling and title. (If you don't know the person's name, use 'Good morning' as the greeting rather than the deadly dull 'Dear Sir or Madam'.)
3. In the first paragraph state where and when you saw the advertisement, the calculate for the letter and what you are together with in your application. E.g. I wish to apply for the position of 'Customer aid Officer' as advertised on the Careerone website on 25 August 2009.
4. In the second paragraph, state what you are together with in your application. E.g. To withhold my application, I have included my responses to the choice criteria, a copy of my résumé and three referees who can vouch for my work performance.
5. In the third paragraph, refer to your qualifications, skills and contact to illustrate how you match the requirements of the position. E.g. I hold a Diploma of Frontline management and have five years' contact in buyer aid roles.
6. In this paragraph, include a few of your key achievements and use a quote from 'secret sales documents like appraisals and written references to build credibility and 'sell' your claims. E.g. I am clear that I have the skills and contact to be an asset in this role. In my last appraisal, my manager states: 'Mary has built strong relationships with our clients, resulting in a 43% growth in sales.'
7. Finish with a strong close, as if you expect to be excellent for an interview. E.g. I look transmit to discussing this position with you in an interview.
8. For hard copy applications, personally sign your letter and type your name below your signature. For online applications, you can use a distinct font to indicate you've signed your letter or use a digital signature.
9. Add 'enc.' at the lowest of your letter. This means 'enclosure' and is used if you are adding other documentation such as a résumé and choice criteria statement.
10. Proofread for errors in spelling, grammar, typos, phone numbers, email addresses, postal addresses, job titles, and so on. Your application must be 100% error- free.
11. Keep the letter to one page in length.

Applying For a Government Job - How to Nail Your Cover Letter For Positions With selection Criteria