QUT Careers and Employment
www.careers.qut.edu.au
Writing effective applications: Part 1
Nikki Penhaligon, PhD
Postgraduate Career Counsellor
QUT Careers & Employment
Learning objectives
• Cover letters and resumes
– What to include
– What not to include
– Giving and receiving feedback
• Selection criteria
– What
– How
– Drafting selection criteria responses
Cover Letters
Building the Bridge
Barbara Atkins
The Application: Animating and
Translating the person
The
Applicant
The
Position
Describe yourself and what you have done with a view
to another audience – the prospective employer
(translate yourself)
The details
• Your name & address
• Date
• Person’s name, title & address
– Human Resources Manager, if unsure
– Dear Sir/Madam or the specific name (Mr/Ms..)
• Introduction
– Why writing + what you are studying
• Body
– Highlight your strengths and relevant experience
– What you can do for them & why they should take you
– Indicate strongly why you want to work for them
• Closure (refer to attachments, thank them, give contact)
• Sign off (sincerely if person known, faithfully if unknown)
Jane Smith
62 Staghorn Drive
Brisbane City Q 4000
Tel 07 3341 4333
Monday 10th September, 2012
Ms Mary Graham
Human Resources Manager
XYZ Consulting
PO Box 123
BRISBANE Q 4001
Dear Ms Graham
I am writing to apply for the position of Marketing Officer as advertised in the Courier Mail, Saturday 8th of
September, 2012 - Reference No: KL23 (or through QUT Careers & Employment).
or
I am writing to express my interest in being considered for an appropriate position within your company
when I have completed my current studies.
I am in my final semester of a Masters of Business (Marketing) at Queensland University of Technology
(QUT). I have achieved an overall Grade Point Average of 5.3 (on a 7 point scale) and have a special
interest in Strategic Planning (or obtained a High Distinction in Principles of Marketing).
As part of my studies I participated in two industry-based project groups. One involved undertaking a detailed
analysis of the consumer markets for a major clothing retailer and the other developing a market plan and campaign
for a relatively small, energetic and upcoming sports clothing manufacturer and distributor. Both projects provided
me with an opportunity to work closely with industry personnel and strengthen my interest in this area. The two
companies regarded the outcome of the projects as highly productive and successful.
I have undertaken direct promotional work as part of my Billabong Family Bistro work in Gympie and have
consolidated my basic communication and clerical skills through my work at Myers and my vacation placement with
a Queensland Government Department.
I bring to any job a strong work ethic and desire to succeed, a willingness to cooperate with others, and a need to
produce quality work. As a result of the knowledge and skills gained through my studies at QUT and my industrybased experiences, I will be able to fulfil more than adequately fulfil the requirements of the Marketing Officer
position at XYZ Consulting.
Thank you for considering my application. Please find enclosed a copy of my resume and academic transcript. I
look forward to the opportunity to meet you with to discuss my application and I am available at short notice. I am
contactable via mobile 0412 345 678 or email [email protected].
Yours sincerely,
Jane Smith
Hints for application letters
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
NO longer than ONE page
Develop a basic design and content
Rewrite specific bits for each application
Spell check & person check
Error free
Positive
Balance self confidence & modesty
It is their first contact with you
Resumes
Activity: Think Pair Share
• On your own, list as many areas/headings
as you can that you would include in a
resume
• Now, pair up and brainstorm more
• Share with the larger group!
Here’s some I prepared earlier...
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Personal details
Career objective/Skills Summary/Personal Profile etc
Education/Qualifications/Training
Employment/work history (paid and unpaid)
Achievements
Volunteer work/community involvement
Professional memberships
General and specific skills
Interests/Hobbies
Referees
PLUS ANY OTHER SECTIONS RELEVANT TO THE
ROLE
Some things to consider
• Focus on your SKILLS!
• Make sure you tailor each resume and cover letter to the
role/organisation you are applying for
• It is your job to link yourself to the role and organisation!
• Page length??
What about things NOT to include???
•
•
•
•
Date of birth?
Marital status?
Religion?
Photo?
Tips
•
•
•
•
•
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Make it easy to read
Highlight important information
Appropriate language
Bullet points
Borders, lines, white space
Minimum 11pt font
Do’s and Don’ts




Spell check and proof read
Well presented easy to read
Matches their requirements with your skills
Lets your personality show though
Don’t use too much text
Don’t get it done by a professionalshould be in your own words
Don’t be dishonest!
Resume Quiz: True or False?
Q1. It’s ok to send out general, identical resumes to
multiple organisations when looking for work
Q2. The language used in my resume should reflect the
audience reading it
Q3. I should include my DOB on my resume
Q4. A resume should be no longer than one page in length
Q5. I should use bullet points in my resume
Q6. I need to be continually updating my resume regularly
Activity: Resume swap
• Get into pairs
• Swap resumes
• Provide feedback on:
– First impression
– 3 points they did well
– 3 points for improvement
– Overall impression of the person
Selection criteria
Selection Criteria
What:
• Written responses to key requirements of
the position
• Can be found in the Position Description
• Is often scored by an employer panel
Typical layout (unless directed otherwise):
• Address each one under a separate
heading
• Have at least ¾ of a page for each
• Use a combination of narrative & bullet
points where possible
Steps to answering selection criteria
• STEP 1: Analyse and understand
the criteria
• STEP2: Brainstorm examples
• STEP 3: Write your response
Step 1: Understand key terms
General knowledge
A basic understanding
Knowledge of
Familiarity gained from experience
Sound knowledge of
A good working knowledge, specific
application
Thorough knowledge of
A comprehensive grasp of information
and application
Demonstrated ability
Provide specific examples of performing
the function
Ability to rapidly acquire Demonstrated that you have the
capacity to learn
Step 2: Brainstorm examples
Alternatively ...
Team
Uni
Work
Hobbies
Travel
Home
Social/clubs
Committees
Communication
Initiative
Analytical
Community
work
Problem
solving
Step 3: Start writing
STAR (L)
•
•
•
•
•
Situation – describe the context
Task – what was required
Action – what you did
Result – what happened
(Learning )– what you learned from this
What’s wrong with this example?
Demonstrated ability to work as a part of a team:
• I am aware of the importance of working as a part of a
team. In my current employment I work daily as a part of
a team. I am awlays friendly and approachalbe to all staff
in my day to day duties.
What’s wrong?
 Too general
 It has not been proof read – spelling errors
 Does not provide any details/examples of working as a
part of a team
 Not easy to read
 Presentation is poor
 Too short
Let’s practice
• Get into pairs
• Each pair will be given a selection criteria question.
• First as an individual, think about how you would answer
the question. Consider the STAR(L) technique. You have
3 minutes.
• Now in your pairs, use the butcher’s paper provided to
brainstorm how you would answer the below question.
You have 15 minutes to draft an answer. Again, consider
the STAR(L) technique:
A better example
KSC1: Demonstrated experience to communicate with a range of stakeholders.
I possess strong communication skills and daily communicate with XXX
both orally and in writing (via formal letters and emails). An example of
my oral communication skills can be seen in a presentation I developed
and facilitated about XXX to XXX. When writing the presentation, I
considered my audience with the aim to gain an understanding of their
point of view. I tailored the presentation to enable XXX to ask specific
questions to alleviate any concerns they may have about XXX. When
presenting, I was sure to speak at an appropriate pace with a caring
tone, speak clearly, define any terms that the audience may be
unfamiliar with, and paused to allow questions to be asked. During
question time, I was flexible, and adapted my language and tone
appropriately depending on the participant’s question. The feedback I
received from the audience was positive and indicated that the
workshop was informative and helped to answer the questions they
had regarding XXX.
A final tip: use active words
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•
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•
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Achieved
Administered
Adopted
Advised
Budgeted
Constructed
Completed
Collaborated
Designed
Developed
Delivered
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•
•
•
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Established
Evaluated
Expanded
Generated
Implemented
Improved
Liaised
Maintained
Presented
Programmed
Simplified
Rather than passive:
• Assisted
• Contributed
• Participated
• I was required to...
Selection criteria: True or False?
Q1. Generally, single sentences are sufficient when writing
selection criteria responses
Q2. It’s important to include the specific selection criteria
question as headings when writing each of my
responses
Q3. A good model to structure my responses is the
STAR(L) or CAR model
Q4. My responses should utilise passive verbs such as “I
participated in” rather than active verbs such as “I
initiated”
Selection criteria: True or False?
Q5. I can use a combination of bullet points and
paragraphs when writing my responses
Q6. My responses should focus on the situation rather
than the action I took
Next time
• Interviews! Thursday, 4th October 5pm
– Preparation
• Researching your audience
• Anticipating questions
– How to form an introductory/closing statement
• During
• Managing your nerves
• Body language and interpersonal processes
• Structuring your answer
• After
• The importance of reflection
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