How to make a cover letter that stands out in New Zealand
- Storytelling magic
- Spark curiosity
- Know your audience
- Fresh eyes for success
In the fiercely competitive New Zealand job market, a standout cover letter is your golden ticket to securing an interview. It's more than just a formality; it's a powerful tool to showcase your unique qualifications and personality.
Megan Alexander, managing director at Robert Half New Zealand and specialised finance and accounting recruiter says “To truly captivate hiring managers and make a cover letter that stands out, it's essential to move beyond generic templates and create a document that tells your professional story in a compelling way. While a resume is objective by design, whereas a cover letter provides a platform to express why you are the right person for the role in your own terms.
With more than two decades of experience in recruitment and reading thousands of cover letters in her career, Megan says “A great cover letter should be concise, considered, and charismatic, touching on your motivation for the role followed by a few shining examples of relevant experience and how you will grow and add value long-term.”
Whether you are applying for your first job or changing roles in your career, a well crafted cover letter is a vital resource for getting your foot in the door and standing out. Here's how to write one.
Gone are the days of dry, bullet-point-laden cover letters. Hiring managers are more likely to respond positively to a candidate that can showcase authenticity and connection than one who regurgitates what has already been covered in their resume.
Instead of simply listing your skills and experiences, weave a captivating story that highlights your abilities and showcases your deep understanding of the company and role.
Share a specific example of a challenge you overcame or a time you demonstrated a key skill relevant to the job. By bringing your experiences to life through storytelling, you create a memorable impression and differentiate yourself from other candidates.
Megan says “Mark Twain once said ‘I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one’ and that lesson certainly applies to the cover letter. Focusing on a few carefully selected relevant experiences told in vivid terms, alongside relevant proof points and a clear link back to the job description, will capture attention and stand out compared to a candidate who provides a broad overview of their career to date. Breadth suggests the candidate is unable to align their letter to the nuances of the opportunity. Not only is it more interesting, storytelling and the ability to curate a cover letter shows that the candidate has a deeper understanding of the role and reflects care, confidence, and enthusiasm.”
Related: Looking for more detail on how to craft the perfect cover letter? Explore our detailed guide here.
In order to make a cover letter that stands out, it can be helpful to break away from the norm so consider replacing the standard “thank you for considering my application” with a thought-provoking question related to the role or company.
A well-worded question can synthesise the key values or skills you would like to be remembered for alongside your connection to the company and motivation to take on the role. Moreover, a question is a call to action that encourages the hiring manager to engage further.
Keep the question relevant and professional, avoiding anything impersonal or generic. Som examples could include:
Did you know seven out of ten CFO’s consider global tax regulations to be their biggest challenge in the coming year? My skills in global tax are well positioned to contribute immediate value to your team and your clients.
In light of the evolving threat landscape, I can see that company is fortifying their defences against emerging cyber threats. When was the last time you ran a cyber security breach simulation? In my current role, we stage one per quarter spanning 4 geographies.
As organisations navigate rapid workforce changes, I am keen to understand how my experience in onboarding and retention optimisation can support the company's long-term growth goals. Are you free for a preliminary call next week?
Recommended: What are the top skills New Zealand businesses are looking for? Download the Robert Half Salary Guide to find out.
A generic cover letter is unlikely to impress hiring managers so take the time to research the company and the specific role you’re applying for. By understanding the company culture and the hiring manager’s priorities, you can tailor your message to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to their needs. Moreover, offering an additional level of detail and research shows initiative and demonstrates your interest in the specific position that may elevate you above your competitors.
Some tactics to demonstrate this include:
Personalisation: Identifying the hiring manager and addressing your letter directly to them.
Business updates: Reference recent company news, strategic initiatives or people changes to contextualise how and why the company fits within your own career trajectory.
Market knowledge: Showcase your understanding of the sector the company is operating in by referencing specific trends, challenges or opportunities that they may be facing, and linking this back to your own expertise or ambition.
While proofreading is essential, it’s easy to overlook errors or areas for improvement when reviewing your own work.
Firstly, allow yourself time between completing the first draft and sitting down to review your letter a second time. A reset is one of the most effective means of improving the clarity, structure, and accuracy of your own writing, ensuring your cover letter is the most refined version of itself.
Secondly, enlist the help of a trusted friend, relative, or colleague to provide fresh eyes on your cover letter. They can offer valuable feedback on clarity, flow, and overall effectiveness. By incorporating their suggestions, you can ensure your cover letter shines without any hidden errors. A lazy error is a fast way to make a cover letter that stands out - in all the wrong ways.
Related: Unsure of how to format your cover letter? Check out our templates here
A well-crafted cover letter is an opportunity to showcase your passion, skills, and enthusiasm. Make it count! We asked our time for the common red and green flags to keep in mind while preparing your cover letter, including:
Maintain a professional tone: Your cover letter should reflect your professionalism and respect for the company.
Keep it concise: Aim for a one-page cover letter that packs a powerful punch.
Use keywords strategically: Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description to optimise your cover letter for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Proofread meticulously: Errors can undermine your credibility, so proofread carefully to ensure your cover letter is flawless.
Making a cover letter that stands out is a crucial skill for any job seeker. By following these guidelines and infusing your cover letter with your unique personality and experiences, you’ll significantly increase your chances of standing out from the competition and landing your dream job.
Our experienced team of talent specialists are here to help.
How do I make my cover letter stand out to employers?
While a resume is formulaic, a cover letter doesn’t have to be. Make sure your first sentence is captivating and authentic, before clearly explaining why you are the ideal fit for the role.
What should a cover letter include to get noticed?
A strong cover letter should include a compelling opening paragraph, a clear statement of your interest, a summary of your relevant skills and experience, an explanation of why you're a good fit for the company, and a closing paragraph that reiterates your interest and requests an interview.
How do you write a cover letter that is different from others?
Nobody has the same experience and career path as you do, so consider telling a personal story or emphasising your unique motivations for the role.
How long should a cover letter be to stand out?
Generally, a cover letter should be no longer than one page. Remove any repetitions and ensure that every sentence offers value to keep the attention of the reviewer.
