It can be tough to write a job cover letter that stands out from the competition. But with a little bit of effort, it’s possible.
Job Cover Letters to Get You an Offer
A job cover letter is an important part of your job application. A letter to the company to let them know that you are interested in the job and why you would be a good fit will demonstrate your professionalism and job skills.
Your job cover letter should be well-written and tailored to the specific job you are applying for.
Let’s look at a job advertisement for a Community Engagement Worker
| Community Engagement WorkerPort Macquarie & Mid North CoastCommunity Services & DevelopmentChild Welfare, Youth & Family Services ABOUT MNCLC Mid North Coast Legal Centre (MNCLC) www.mnclegal.org.au is part of Advocacy Law Alliance Inc. www.advocacylaw.org.au. MNCLC is a not-for-profit community legal centre that provides civil law services in the local government areas of MidCoast, Port Macquarie – Hastings, Kempsey Shire, Nambucca Shire, Bellingen and Coffs Harbour. We established an office in Coffs Harbour in 2019. MNCLC seeks to provide access to justice through a multidisciplinary approach that includes legal information, legal advice, advocacy and representation, policy and law reform and legal outreach across the geographic catchment area. DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORKER ROLE Mid North Coast Legal Centre is seeking a Community Engagement Worker to join our new Health Justice Partnership (HJP) program “LAMP” (Legal and Mental Health Partnership). Health Justice Partnerships place lawyers within health settings to reach clients who would otherwise not access legal assistance and help address health-harming legal needs. Based in Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour, this position is at the forefront of innovative service delivery, working with health justice partners and solicitors to provide holistic legal services. The role would suit an enthusiastic and dynamic social worker or community worker who enjoys working with multi-disciplinary teams. Pay Grade and HoursThe role is classified at Level 5.1 of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Industry Award. This is a 1-year contract for 21 hours per week (term negotiable up to 2 years). Conditions Mid North Coast Legal Centre is a flexible workplace with above award leave conditions including salary packaging, 10.5% superannuation plus 1.35% advance payment of annual leave loading. MNCLC also offers other generous conditions of employment, including additional, paid leave over the December/ January holiday period and wellbeing leave throughout the year. Key Responsibilities The primary responsibility of this Community Engagement Worker position is to engage with clients and support the work of a solicitor who will provide generalist civil legal services, triage, referrals and casework to vulnerable clients referred by health practitioners and mental health service providers. Areas of law include credit and debt, victims’ compensation, domestic violence, guardianship and administrative law. The engagement worker will work closely with the solicitor to provide wrap-around support to clients, undertake key stakeholder engagement activities, and conduct community legal education and law reform work. Service Promotion and Networking: Promote MNCLC by participating in local projects and networks involving the Mid North Coast local communities, publicising the service, strengthening links with local workers and services and improving access to the service for specific groups.Strengthen links with local organisations, services and workers. Participate in community events, e.g. Seniors Week, Law Week etc. Attend relevant interagency and network meetings. Undertake legal needs consultation with local communities. Provide services at Health Justice Partnership locations across MNCLC’s catchment area.Information and Referral: Assist in developing information resources about the legal rights of vulnerable community members. Assist with developing digital strategies to link clients with appropriate legal assistance. Provide legal information and appropriate referrals for clients in the MNCLC catchment.Community Legal Education and Cultural Competency: Participate in providing community education to local communities on services that the MNCLC and other legal assistance organisations provide. Assist in the development and delivery of community education on issues relevant to the local community. Identify opportunities for community legal education, publications, projects, and engagement with allies and stakeholders to pursue the Centre’s strategic goals. Work cooperatively with the wider MNCLC team to develop and deliver these projects and goals.OutreachSupport: The LAMP solicitor provides outreach initiatives to local mental health organisations, services and the community. Other duties include:Developing strategies to be visible—specifically within the health services- and engaging with health professionals, such as attending case conference meetings with multi-disciplinary teams, aimed at supporting staff to identify potential legal issues and appropriate referral pathways. Connect and collaborate with Health Justice Australia to ensure the best practice approach for the project.Undertake all necessary clerical, administration and filing processes to document, file, retrieve and manage project data and resources.Enter service activities onto the CLASS database. Undertake shared intake duties and general office administration.Work cooperatively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.Undertake duties related to supporting volunteers and students at the MNCLC.Carry out other appropriate tasks as directed by your supervisor. Selection CriteriaRelevant tertiary qualifications. An interest in social justice and a commitment to the objectives of Community Legal Centres. Experience in the disability, mental health or social services sectors will be advantageous.Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with communities and provide services to people experiencing vulnerability. Excellent interpersonal skills, including experience in or, demonstrated ability to develop strong partnerships with health professionals, community organisations and government agencies.High motivation, drive, flexibility and a commitment to delivering a client-centred service. As part of our government funding contract, all staff must have a police criminal record check and working with children check before commencement and must be fully vaccinated (two vaccines) against COVID-19 or have a valid medical exemption. Advocacy Law Alliance (MNCLC and DANSW) is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. For more information about MNCLC, see www.mnclegal.org.au. For more information about the position, contact Jane Titterington or Mel Kallmier on 02 6580 2111 or via email at info@mnclegal.org.au. Applications must address the selection criteria and the job will close at 5:00pm on 7th August. Interviews will take place in the following weeks online via Microsoft Teams. |
A well-written job cover letter is essential if you’re looking to apply for the Community Engagement Worker role. To make your application stand out, follow these simple tips:
Get through to the right person
The best person to whom to address your cover letter is the person who will decide whether or not to interview you. Not only do letters addressed to a specific person achieve better results, but letters that actually reach the decision maker have an even higher chance of being interviewed. For example, if you are applying for the Community Engagement Worker role above, you have two specific names, Jane Titterington and Mel Kallmier; therefore, do some research to find out who the decision maker is for the job you want. The job posting or company website may give you this information. If not, try calling the company and asking them directly.
Communicate clearly, concisely, engagingly and articulately
Phrasing your thoughts carefully is crucial to writing an effective letter that can be quickly scanned by the reader. Do not rush yourself; take the time you need to convey your message clearly. For example, if you are applying for the job of Community Engagement Worker, some key details you will want to include are:
- How your skills and experience fit the job requirements
- Your motivation for applying for this job
- Why you want to work for this particular organisation
Tell a good story
Like all the best stories, the best letters have a strong and clearly defined beginning, middle and end. It’s important to make sure your letter is structured logically. Capture their attention, make an impact, maintain their interest and finish with a strong closing paragraph.
Target/tailor your job cover letter
Always make your correspondence appropriate for the organisation you are applying to. A carefully targeted letter might be the difference between success and failure. Nobody enjoys receiving unsolicited emails.
Here is an example cover letter for the Community Engagement Worker position
| Dear Jane Titterington and Mel Kallmier, Re: Community Engagement Worker opportunity I am excited to apply for this job because I am passionate about social justice and am committed to the Community Legal Centres’ objectives. I also have experience in the disability, mental health and social services sectors which I believe will be advantageous. My interpersonal skills are excellent. For example, in my current role as a Social Worker, I have developed strong partnerships with health professionals, community organisations and government agencies. Furthermore, I am highly motivated, flexible and client-centred. Therefore, I believe I would be the perfect candidate for this position. If you have any questions or would like to discuss my application further, please do not hesitate to contact me on ___________. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, ___________ |
In conclusion, writing a cover letter isn’t rocket science! Most of what I’ve outlined is simple to comprehend, and it’s all about putting in the required effort.
Check your spelling and your grammar.
Before you send off your resume or cover letter, make sure that you have read through it carefully and checked for any spelling or grammatical errors. It can be helpful to ask someone else to double-check it before you send it out.
If you want help writing your resume or cover letter, the ATS Resume Team is here to help. Simply send your resume and the link to the position you would like to apply for to info@atsresume.com.au. We can review what you have, provide some feedback and recommend the solutions that best suit your needs.
Alternatively, book in your resume and cover letter package below: