Do your homework
You should start working on your cover letter far before you start writing it. Reading the company's website, joining their email list, and checking out their Twitter, Instagram, and pages are all good ways to learn more about the company than what's written in the job advertisement. Familiarizing yourself with the company also aids in determining the tone of your cover l
etter. What is the organization's culture, based on what you've read? You may afford to be a little more innovative in your cover letter if it appears to be creative and risk-taking in its approach. It's advisable to continue with a more traditional approach if it comes across as more traditional.
2. Demonstrate your excitement as well as your “cultural fit.”
Jobs in animal welfare are quite competitive. Many people will likely have the abilities required for the job you want, therefore employers will be seeking for people who are particularly enthusiastic about working for their company. Demonstrating your enthusiasm for the chance can help you stand out. And it relates into demonstrating that you're a strong cultural fit for the organization, which is something Animals Australia's Natasha Reus looks for in a cover letter when hiring.
“We're seeking for someone who can demonstrate to us that they understand what we do, who we are, what drives us as an organization, and what values are truly vital to us,” she explains.
“We want to get a sense of who the applicant is and what their personality is like.”
However, while enthusiasm is important, don't go overboard with flattery — hiring managers may see through hollow platitudes.
3. Keep it short and sweet. You have to cram a lot into a cover letter, but it doesn't mean you can go on for pages. Your cover letter should never be more than one page long, and the shorter the better. In fact, according to Natasha Reus, she only reads the first page of a cover letter.
“Some jobs receive close to 100 applications, so I'm looking for someone who can grab my attention on the first page,” she explains. Because animal welfare is such a competitive field, a compelling and fascinating cover letter might mean the difference between getting an interview and having your application tossed in the trash.
