HOW TO WRITE A PLACEMENT COVER LETTER
Writing a placement cover letter can be tricky, but necessary if you want to find a placement with a top employer. It’s like chopping a tomato. It’s messy, and the pips go everywhere, but if you want to make it in the Job Market, you don’t have a choice but to sell yourself best.
Following are the steps you will have to follow to write an outstanding placement cover letter:
STEP 1: YOUR FIRST THREE
The first three words of your placement cover letter are crucial. It’s like the opening moments of a blind date. If you do or say anything out of the ordinary, you’re in trouble. If you address your placement cover letter to the wrong person, you too are dancing on the edge of a volcano.
If you do not know the name of the person who will be receiving your placement cover letter, there a few things you can do.
You can call or email the company and ask the name of the person who is tasked with reading the cover letter.
Address your cover letter to the manager of the department you will be working in.
If you cannot locate the person who handles recruitment, address your placement cover letter to someone who works in HR.
As a last resort, address your letter to someone who works in the team you are applying to join. This is not ideal, but better than the riots that “To Whom It May Concern” causes.
STEP 2: YOUR INTRO
Once you have done your intro, you need to disclose what placement you are applying for. A company might be hiring interns in a number of different departments. Be specific to make sure you are being considered for the right role.
Write something like this
I am writing in regards of the Accounting internship opportunity open at Elite Career Solutions. Please find my attached CV.
It’s important to let the recruiter know where you found the vacancy for the placement. Employers are always keen to know what channels students use to find the vacancy, it makes a good impression it’s like offering them crisps.
STEP 3: EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE YOU INTERESTED?
You have introduced yourself, you have given them a crisp, now it’s time to explain why you are interested in the placement. It Is important to do some research about the company you are applying to and the content of the programme.
HERE ARE SOME AREAS TO FOCUS ON:
• Company origins
• Values/vision or mission of the company
• Opportunities that the company offers to its employees
STEP 4: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BRING?
Here you have to explain what you will bring to the company as an intern. There’s no need to mention everything you’ll bring. Be specific and keep it relevant to the role.
What are the unique skills will you bring to the company? Answer that question.
STEP 5: FINAL TOUCH
This your final touch, in this section you will end your placement cover letter. Thank the recruiter for considering your application and register your interest in attending an interview.
Thank you for considering my application, I’m looking forward to the prospect of discussing the placement in greater detail in an interview.
STEP 6: CLOSING
If you found the name of the recruiter/employer, end your placement cover letter with Yours Sincerely, if you are one of those rogues who wrote To Whom It May Concern, put Yours Faithfully.
And that’s it! Six simple steps and you’ve got yourself a placement cover letter that will have employers swimming through crocodile-infested waters to get to you.
COVER LETTERS TIPS
• TAILOR your cover letter to the placement you are applying for.
• DON’T forget to proof-read.
• DON’T undersell yourself. Your cover letter shouldn’t be a list of qualities you don’t have.
• DON’T lie about experience/qualifications. Employers can smell fibs like a grizzly bear smells out salmon.
• DON’T use clichés, or describe yourself using application buzzwords, such as “hard working” + “dynamic”. Otters work hard.
• DON’T overshare, a cover letter shouldn’t include any personal information.
Please also read: SA Gov Jobs is a Job Search and Recruitment Management Portal for government departments educational Institutions and public entities.
Also visit Elite Career Solutions for more information on career branding
