Even if cover letters are not usually sent when making job applications in New Zealand, there are situations in which you can and must submit an appropriate cover letter especially if this requested for by the employer.
If you are applying for a job where a cover letter has to be attached with your resume, then it’s best to send a well-written one as this document can genuinely make you stand out among other candidates. Still, much like tailoring your resume for each job application is now a reality, this applies to the cover letter too.
So, here are five tips to tailor your cover letter for a job in New Zealand:
1: Read about the company.
Even if you aren’t making an online application, you can still find information about your prospective employer by doing a Google Search. If this is a sizeable organisation with press coverage, you can read about their practices in popular local news dailies.
Alternatively, visit their website to get their side of the story. Several sites also showcase reviews of individuals who have worked or are currently working at this organisation. Doing this important activity will help you understand what the organisation stands for while also giving you context to use in the cover letter itself.
2: Address the interviewer in your cover letter
While mentioning names of employees has its list of do’s and don’ts, it doesn’t hurt to address the cover letter to the hiring manager or the interviewer. Addressing them by name is much better than beginning the letter with “To whom it may concern” or ‘Dear Sir/ Ma’am.” Avoid being impersonal throughout the letter and prepare it as if you are making that “elevator speech.”
3: Demonstrate that you meet their specific needs
Each job and organisation in New Zealand has different sets of expectations from employees despite bearing the same title. Ensure that you list experience, achievements and educational qualifications about the specific role. This can differ from job to job, and one must be discerning since you only have so much real-estate on a single page to add all these relevant details. Simply put, tell them why you want the job and why you think you qualify for such a position.
4: Speak their “language”
Every organisation speaks its own language. You can read between the lines just by looking at the job description itself. Finding keywords in a specific job description can be used effectively in your cover letter and which can help you to move past the basic screening process to obtain an interview as well. Since language is an indicator of purpose, you can evaluate what the organisation finds important and respond exactly to what the company’s most pressing needs are.
5: Hire a professional CV Writer in New Zealand.
Ultimately, there are two ways you can get a cover letter tailored to your upcoming job application. Writing this on your own is the first. The second is using a CV writing service in Auckland.
Hiring a professional CV writer in New Zealand ensures that the cover letter created meets the standards and expectations recruiters and hiring manager in New Zealand have among applicants. He or she would also know how to structure your list of experience and expertise so that they align to the job you’re applying for. This is crucial if you’re living overseas and want to apply for a job in New Zealand or are living in New Zealand but want to change career paths.
