TAGS: Perth, Australia Resume or CV | Job application cover letters | How to write a cover letter | Custom cover letters
Resumes or CVs and
Cover Letters:
Tips and Tricks
Your Resume or CV and cover letter is your chance to prove to a prospective Perth employer that you are the best
person for the job. As a marketing tool they have one job. The cover letter needs to introduce
you as a candidate and how you meet the key selection criteria, while your Resume or CV builds on that information.
Your cover letter should draw the employer into reading your Resume or CV and thus invite you to attend an interview.
What impression do you think a cover letter that says little or nothing will make on your application? You are absolutely right, little or nothing. Will they want to read your Resume? Probably not. So if that is the case you cannot rely on them reading your Perth Resume or CV, your cover letter needs to be so compelling they have to read your Resume.
It could be argued that the cover letter doesn't need to say very much other than who you are and what job you are applying for, after all they have your Perth Resume or CV to read through which does say it all, the question is - what happens if the person who is reading the cover letters has hundreds of applications to go through? What happens if all they have time to do is read your cover letter, and maybe skim read your Resume? Do you think you will make it to the interview if you haven't sent a convincing pitch in your cover letter?
Cover letters and Applicant Tracking Software
With hundreds of applicants for many jobs in today's Perth market, in most cases a person is unlikely to read any part of your application until is has been put through applicant tracking software (ATS). This software is designed for one reason - to weed out those people who have not addressed the selection criteria in their Perth Resume or CV and cover letters. Only if you get through this stage will your application be read by a real person.
Each and every word that you put on your job application should be working for you. It should be saying, 'I am the best candidate there is, you need to meet me so that we can discuss the position in detail and so I can prove that I am the best person for the job'.
Each cover letter you send with your Resume or CV should be customised for the role you are applying for. Especially in today's tough Perth job market.
The Tips and Tricks of writing a good Perth cover letter
- You must put your contact details on all your correspondence. That includes your Resume or CV, cover letter and the statement addressing the selection criteria if you have to send it. If you don’t, how on earth do you think the organisation is going to contact you?
Perth Cover Letters and contact details
- Add a telephone number to your Perth cover letter and Resume or CV. However, giving them the switchboard number of your current employer (if you have one) is not going to go down very well with either party. If you have to use that number because you cannot be reached in any other way, then advise your prospective employer on the letter.
- Add your email address to your Perth cover letter, BUT - make sure it is a “professional” one. How would you react if you received a job application from a recipient whose email address was elvisthechicken2003@, or Surfzup@ or anything else that could be deemed to be inappropriate or indicated that you would rather be elsewhere! It may also harm your chances of employment if you use your current employers email address and telephone contact details – as this does not indicate any level of loyalty to your current employer. The ONLY time this is acceptable is if you are applying for a promotion or your own job should that ever happen to you.
- If you do not have a personal email address to add into your cover letter, Gmail (and others) offer a free email service; all they require is that you have access to the Internet. When creating your email address, avoid using nicknames, pet names, or hobbies, as this really does not show you in the best light. A simple but effective email address is firstname.surname@
- If you have a hotmail address you might want to get a Gmail account. Hotmail is notorious for hitting the SPAM filters. If you send an application through to a hiring organisation and you are using a hotmail account - telephone the organisation to make sure they received your application as it will most likely be sitting in their SPAM folder.
- The cover letter must be dated.
Who to address your Perth Cover letter to
- Where possible, the Perth cover letter must be addressed to a person. If no name is given in the application - use Dear Hiring Manager instead of Dear Sir or Madam.
- You should always state which job you are applying for in the cover letter, and the job number if there is one. This is vital as the organisation rarely has just a single position on offer. If you are sending out a mass-market Perth cover letter it is important that you tell the organisation that you are available for work. For example. "I read in XYZ paper that your organisation is undergoing an increase in operations and I would be interested in discussing any opportunities you might have available."
- In the next paragraph of your Perth cover letter you should summarise the skills and attributes you possess, and most importantly, use those that are emphasised in the advertisement and/or selection criteria / application package. The way you meet the key selection criteria should also be highlighted in your Resume or CV.
- Follow this, in your Perth cover letter, with a little bit of flattery. Even if you are sending out a mass cover letter mailing, you should always tailor the Perth cover letter to the organisation that is hiring in Perth. For example use the organisation’s reputation, sales record, size, corporate culture or any other interesting fact that tells the organisation that you have cared enough to research the organisation a little.
- Make sure the Perth cover letter is the right length. If it says no more than 2 pages... they mean it, so don't waffle.
- Finally, before you sign off your Perth cover letter, you should ask for a meeting (in a nice way of course). If you are only contactable during certain hours, or you are working away on FIFO for example, it may be prudent to say that you will contact them, and when you are going to do so, or give them alternative contact details so that when they do call to ask you to attend an interview they are not left talking to your voicemail, or even worse not being able to leave a message at all.
- If you are printing out your Perth cover letter and Resume or CV, it is advisable to use standard size white paper and black ink. Please ensure that the font and font size is the same as the font and size that you have used for the rest of your application. This point may seem trivial, but it makes your application easier to read. Also note that 'designed' (especially coloured) Resumes may not be printed in colour so be mindful of the colur scheme you choose.
- Always save the Cover letter and Resume documents in the format required by the organisation. If in doubt save and upload as PDF as organisations who use the Apple products cannot read word docs unless they convert them - and they are unlikely to do that.
If you have been asked to email your Resume or CV to a prospective employer in Perth, you should treat the body of the email in the same way as you would for the cover letter. Be professional, be polite and lay the body of the email out in the same way.
Simply order a gig (pricing button below) and within 24 hours I will contact you by email or phone. We will work together to hone your CV or Resume until you are 100% satisfied. You can then opt for extra services if you need them.
TAGS: Perth, Australia Resume or CV | Job application Perth cover letters Bunbury | How to write a Perth cover letter Perth | Custom cover letters Rockingham
Fill out this form if you would a 15 minute phone chat before deciding to buy my CV writing services. I'll get back to you to schedule a specific time and date.
If your needs are urgent please contact me by phone, FB or Text.
Click on the phone, anytime night and day, to book a complimentary 15 minute call at a time that suits you.
How do I engage you to write my resume?
A brief phone chat allows you to meet the person crafting your resume – me!
More...
This initial conversation helps you choose the package that best suits your needs.
During the call, I'll explain my process and what kind of support and communication you can expect from me. The main goal is to ensure you feel confident in my ability to maximise your interview prospects.
Ready to get started? Please select a package and complete your payment via debit card, credit card, or bank transfer. We'll then set up a call to discuss your specific requirements. Together, we'll perfect your resume and any other documents included in your package until you are completely satisfied.
How do I select a Resume package?
Start with a close look at the job advertisement and job description.
More...
The job ad normally sets out what the employer wants from you. There are three elements: the resume or CV, the cover letter, and the LinkedIn Profile. A resume, on its own, is very unlikely to get you a job.
The cover letter (covering letter) is used to pick out and emphasise the relevant bits of your skills, knowledge or experience. You may be asked to 'address' (comment on) the 'selection criteria' (what they need from an applicant) in the cover letter or separately.
- Resume or CV - this document provides a concise summary of your qualifications, knowledge, skills, experience, and achievements, all ideally tailored to the job’s specific selection criteria.
- Cover Letter - Often in digital form (an e-note) for today's online application processes, this distils your resume's key attributes into a succinct pitch.
- Addressing the Selection Criteria - You are often required to respond to both essential and desirable skills, knowledge, experience, and achievements, ensuring your application aligns with what the employer is looking for.
- In government, education, health and non-profit applications, you will almost certainly have to also write a stand-alone document.
Your application should demonstrate alignment with the employer's selection criteria, even if that's not explicitly requested. Example: While solid or diverse professional network might be a key hiring criterion, that might not be in the job ad.
The roles of the cover letter and LinkedIn
The cover letter, or its electronic counterpart, and LinkedIn profile derive from your resume, supporting your application for the specific role. LinkedIn is crucial for roles where a network or online skills are key (like sales or marketing) but is not essential for entry level and general job applications.
What are your credentials?
I've helped thousands of Perth job seekers land interviews over many years.
More...
I've had direct experience working for top mining and resources companies in Western Australia, in marketing, HR, and recruitment roles. Over the years, I've assisted countless individuals in applying for positions in Australia, the UK, and the USA. With a degree in Information Science, I bring unique insights into the digital recruitment filters and systems that applicants encounter. I'm a dual UK-Australian citizen, with family in both WA and Leicestershire.
Sectors and organisations
My expertise extends to consulting for various organisations including Horizon Power, Curtin University, the WA Police Department, Perth Zoo, Barminco, Allied Pumps, Alcoa of Australia, Western Mining, Sons of Gwalia, Gulf Petroleum, Small Business Development Corporation, WA State Govt., Information Enterprises Australia, and numerous others. I have consulted to organisations in these sectors, among others:
- Mining & Resources (Oil and Gas) Resumes or CVs
- Pharmaceutical, Health & Nursing Resumes or CVs
- Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education (Principal and Teacher) Resumes or CVs
- General Corporate Managerial and C-Suite Resumes or CVs, including International postings
- Political, COS and Party Pre-Selection Resumes or CVs
- Government (Local, State and Federal) Resumes or CVs
- Franchisee Application Resumes or CVs (for example McDonalds)
- Capability Statement CVs for professionals and contractors (especially Mining)
- Marketing and Sales Managerial / Director / State Manager Resumes or CVs
- IT and Digital Managerial / Director / State Manager Resumes or CVs
- ADF and ex-ADF Resumes or CVs
Certification and Memberships
I am a founder-member of the UK-based CVRA, which professionally certifies and educates CV and Resume Writers worldwide.
Corporate engagements
I've conducted resume writing seminars and outplacement workshops for employees of the Western Australian state and local governments, as well as universities.
What is the CV writing process?
Your resume is carefully designed to pass the ATS & appeal to the employer.
More...
My role is to support and guide you, offering honest advice to improve your resume. It has to be written in your voice, since you have to defend what's written at interview. If you don't have a particular job in mind, I'll tailor your resume based on broad industry criteria to appeal to a wider range of employers. But remember, a resume customised for a specific role always gives the best results.
How we together create your resume
Here's how it goes:
-
First Chat
We get started with a chat about your career history and aspirations. This helps me understand your needs, ensuring your resume perfectly represents you.
-
Making Your resume
With the notes from our chat, I craft a resume that highlights your standout qualities and matches what employers want, boosting your chances of catching their attention.
-
Highlighting What You're Great At
The goal extends beyond just resume writing. We aim to ensure your unique strengths and individuality are displayed, making your application memorable.
-
Checking the Details
We carefully review your resume for presentation, readability, and accuracy, ensuring it's something you’re excited to submit.
-
Making Sure Your resume Gets Seen
Most employers use automated systems (ATS) to pre-screen resumes. I'll ensure it's ATS-friendly, helping it skip past the 'keeper' and reach human eyes.
-
Need to update an ancient resume?
I get many enquires from people who have not had a resume for many years. Things have changed...
More...
If you haven’t updated your resume in yonks, you’ll find that much has changed in creating an effective one. One of the most significant shifts is the emphasis on tailoring your resume to each job application. Gone are the days of a generic resume for all jobs with a bit of tailoring in a cover letter.
Today, it’s crucial to customise your resume to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific position you’re applying for. This involves carefully reading job descriptions and incorporating relevant keywords to ensure your resume gets past automated screening systems, known as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which many companies now use to filter applications.
The digital landscape has significantly influenced how resumes are created and shared. The ability to share your resume electronically and ensure it is mobile-friendly is crucial, as more recruiters and hiring managers review applications on their devices. Electronic submission has become the norm, making it essential to ensure your resume is easily accessible and readable across various digital platforms. Format is key also, since if your resume is derived from a legacy software version, the ATS will likely not understand it.
The key reasons why people 'never hear back' is the format, content, and content structure of their resume and application documents. In many cases, their resume never gets past the digital 'keeper, the ATS.
What exactly are 'selection criteria'?
Think of this as the checklist for getting noticed. It's all about making sure your application highlights the skills and achievements your future employer is looking for.
More...
For many employers, like supermarkets, mining, and government jobs, directly addressing these criteria is a standard part of the application process. It's not just about listing your experiences; it's about matching them to what the job description asks for. This means clearly showing how your background and qualities make you the best match for the role.
Whether the criteria are spelled out or you need to dig a bit to find them, making sure your application speaks directly to these points can really set you apart.
Selection criteria are the skills, experience, and qualities a company wants in its workers. This is especially key for those looking to fit into a company's way of working and goals. They might include things like:
- The right training or work background.
- Experience supervising a team or handling projects.
- Knowledge specific to the job or industry.
- Important qualities like being dependable and flexible.
These criteria, sometimes called Job Specs or Position Requirements, help you understand what a company is looking for. They cover both the hard skills needed for the job and the kind of person they want.
Addressing these criteria in your application is crucial to showing you're the right fit and moving forward in your career. Sometimes they are clearly stated, but often, you'll need to read between the lines to figure them out.
How To Stuff Up Your Job Application
Applied for lots of jobs and never heard back? If you've wondered why, here are some reasons:
More...
Ignoring the ATS
The main problem? Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). More than 70% of resumes are screened and rejected by a robot at this initial stage because they don't match the job description.
Generic Resumes
Sending the same resume for every job application is a sure way to fail. Customise your resume - or at least the cover letter - for each application, showing how your skills and experiences make you an ideal candidate for that role.
Not Matching The Job Specifications
If your resume doesn't include the skills and experience listed in the job ad, it will likely be bypassed. Make sure your resume shows how you match the job requirements stated in the ad.
Pretty Designed Resumes
Beware of those "designed resumes" sold on the internet, which are style over substance. They might look appealing with their colours and columns, but often, ATS can't process them. Opt for a simple, clean layout that ensure readability by the ATS.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, focus on creating a resume that's not only clear and concise but also tailored for the job at hand and compatible with ATS requirements.
