Mastering Cover Letters & Applications
Learn effective cover letter formats, application form completion, and the STAR method. Understand the importance of cover letters, their impact, format guidelines, and how they enhance job applications. Review a cover letter for a Retail Assistant position at Homecare.
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Presentation Transcript
Cover letters and application forms
Objectives To learn the most effective format or layout of a cover letter To learn how to use cover letters when applying for jobs To start to create your own cover letter To learn about how to complete an application form To learn about the STAR method
Activity 1 Why is a cover letter important?
Why is a cover letter important? Using a pen and paper, make notes on the following: What you think a cover letter is for Examples of cover letters you have written How cover letters can help you secure a job Share your thoughts with the group
Cover letter impact Who you are and what job you want What relevant skills you have and how you'll apply them If you have any additional skills over and above the job advert Have a positive and professional attitude What you know about the company To explain any gaps in your CV To talk about disability this is your personal choice
Cover letter format Be clear and honest Keep to the facts and tell them how you can do the job Describe how you developed your skills and qualifications Include the job reference number (if there is one) and enter it in the opening line, for example: Dear Mr Smith, Re: Job Reference 345 If you start with Dear Sir / Madam , end with Yours faithfully . If you start with the person s name, Dear Mr Jones , end with Yours sincerely Finally double check your spelling and grammar before sending
Activity 2 Review a cover letter
Job description Retail Assistant at Homecare Essential skills required: To be able to communicate effectively with the public and support any needs they have To have experience working in the customer service sector To be flexible and solve problems reactively To work well in a team and independently To be professional and approachable to a diverse range of customers
Cover letter first half Annie Bloggs 123 Crown Street Cardiff CF1 1HB General Manager Homecare, Cardiff Dear Sir/Madam Re: Job reference 123456 I am contacting you today to apply for the Retail Assistant role at Homecare, Cardiff, as advertised on Indeed. As an experienced Store Assistant, I am very interested in applying for the role. I am passionate about customer service and am excited to see that my personal traits and experience match Homecare s values and mission.
Cover letter second half I bring a set of skills that I believe will be valuable to Homecare. In my role as a Store Assistant, I developed strong abilities in stock replenishing and sales. I support a diverse range of customers daily, solving queries and providing quality customer service. Recently I supported a customer who had a complaint about a product they had purchased. I spoke to them politely and listened to their query. I then raised this with my manager, who was able to refund the item and resolve the complaint. The customer gave my manager positive feedback on how I dealt with the situation. I enjoy working as part of a team, working alongside colleagues to assist each other and ensure the smooth running of the business. I also work well independently, completing tasks in a timely manner. This could be stock rotation, replenishing stock or supporting customers on the shop floor. I feel I would be an asset to your store and in this role. I have attached my CV which has further information on my work history and qualifications. Thank you for your time and consideration. Yours faithfully Annie Bloggs
Activity 3 STAR method
What does STAR stand for? S Situation What was the challenge or event you faced? T Task What were your responsibilities? A Activity or action What steps did you take to address the situation? R Result What did you achieve through your action?
What order should these be in? Essential skills - Works well as part of a team 1. There were so many moving pieces. Everyone on our team had different responsibilities, but we all had to work together to bring the party to life. 2. Thanks to the new system, our team meetings were far more productive, and we ended up ahead of schedule. Our team s collaboration led to what our CEO called the best party he had ever attended. 3. In my previous job as an event coordinator, I worked with a team of 5 to plan and execute company events and conferences. Last year, we collaborated on the company s annual party for over 500 employees. 4. Even though I was the most junior person on the team, I organized a project management system that would allow us to check in with each other daily. They d never done this before, but everyone loved the virtual task-tracking features.
The order is Essential skill - Works well as part of a team 3. In my previous job as an event coordinator, I worked with a team of 5 to plan and execute company events and conferences. Last year, we collaborated on the company s annual party for over 500 employees. 1. There were so many moving pieces. Everyone on our team had different responsibilities, but we all had to work together to bring the party to life. 4. Even though I was the most junior person on the team, I organized a project management system that would allow us to check in with each other daily. They d never done this before, but everyone loved the virtual task-tracking features. 2. Thanks to the new system, our team meetings were far more productive, and we ended up ahead of schedule. Ultimately, our team s collaboration led to what our CEO called the best party he had ever attended.
Your STAR example Think of 1 skill required in a job you would like to apply for. Using the STAR method, think of or write down an example of how you applied this skill using a real-life example.
Activity 4 Cover letter quiz
What should you include? A) Which vacancy you are applying for and how you found out about the job B) Brief biography (a little bit of info about you) C) Your experience and skills related to the job D) Any negative personal qualities E) Your motivation for applying for this job F) The reason you left your previous job G) Your desired salary H) A detailed list of your qualifications I) What you can offer the company J) Tell them which other documents you are attaching with the cover letter K) Disability, impairment or health condition This is your choice
Include A) Which vacancy you are applying for and how you found out about the job B) Brief biography (a little bit of info about you) C) Your experience and skills related to the job E) Your motivation for applying for this job I) What you can offer the company J) Tell them which other documents you are attaching with the cover letter K) Disability, impairment or health condition This is your choice
Talking about disability at application stage Your application should be about how your skills and experience make you the right person for the role. You do not need to focus on your condition in your application form unless you want to. You do not have to answer any questions about disability. Including your condition might increase your chances of getting an interview or job offer if: the employer wants to interview more disabled people it s relevant to the skills needed for the job If you mention your condition on the application form and do not receive an interview, this could be discrimination. But this is hard to prove. You might want to wait until you have a job offer to mention your condition. If the offer is withdrawn, it s easier to prove this is discrimination.
What is an application form? Application forms are usually the first stage of a selection process. They can be either online or on paper. If you put in the time and effort, you can make a great impression on an employer. An employer will generally receive many applications for an advertised post. So it s crucial that you spend plenty of time completing your form. Many of the questions are as detailed as you would get in an interview.
Structure of an application form An application form will usually start by asking you to complete your personal details. You will also be asked to complete education and work history. You will be asked to provide specific references. Some forms may ask application questions related to the job.
Use the job description Identify the essential and desirable skills and qualities the recruiter is looking for. Make sure your answers clearly show you have these. Use the STAR method. Recruiters will look for the skills in the job description. If you include these, it s a quick way for them to see you have the skills for the job.
Checking application forms Before you complete the form, read it thoroughly. Make sure to follow instructions. Check when the closing date is. Give yourself time to complete the form well before this date. Some employers may move the closing date forward if they ve had enough applications.
Checking application forms 2 When you have completed your form, use a spelling and grammar checker. If possible, ask someone to read it back to you. They should also check for spelling and grammatical errors. The person who checks your application form needs to be able to give you honest and helpful feedback. Take a copy of your application form to the interview to remember what you told the employer.
Reviewing your actions It's important to review your action plans regularly. Ask yourself the following questions: Has the goal been achieved or changed? Which steps were achieved and why? Which steps were not met and why? If you were doing it again, what would you change?
What is Learn at Scope? Learn at Scope is Scope s eLearning platform. It is exclusively for Scope customers and offers further support to achieve your goals. As it s a digital resource you can use it on your home computer, tablet or smartphone. It is available 24 hours a day.
What is the Scope job board? The Scope job board is exclusive for Scope customers. It advertises job vacancies with Disability Confident employers. It has a range of job sectors and job types. It is available 24 hours a day and is updated regularly.
How to use the Scope job board Job Board Introduction video
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