A cover letter is a formal letter (about three paragraphs long), explaining in some depth why this company matches with your principles, and why you should be considered for the role. It must show knowledge of the company's ethos, and the expectations of the job, and why YOU and your experiences make you a candidate worth interviewing.
Use Chat GPT or an AI tool to help suggest jobs that you might like, based on your favourite subjects.
Ask a question like: What sort of jobs are good if I like Economics and English?
Have a look at the suggestions. See if any sound interesting.
Then ask something like: What companies in Singapore offer these kind of jobs?
Look up the companies that Chat GPT or AI suggest might be good.
Research key aspects of the company's ethos, and values that match your own.
Study their webpage (or get Chat GPT to help too). Note down what connects with you .
Get Chat GPT to suggest the kinds of skills you will need to do this placement.
Match your skills to the placement. These can be hard skills and/ or soft skills. Hard skills refer to specific technical knowledge and expertise (ie ability to use Java/ Microsoft spreadsheets/ fluency in a language) , while soft skills encompass personal attributes like communication, teamwork, and leadership.
Use a formal letter template (Google Docs/ templates is a good start). Here is a model you can use for World Of Learning.
Ideally, it should be 2-3 paragraphs long:
1 paragraph about the company, and why you want to work there.
1 paragraph about how you and your experiences/skills make you a worthy candidate for consideration.
Look at these model letters to help:
Law cover letter Childcare cover letter Kaleidoscope Therapy Cover letter Triple P cover letter
Look at these two cover letters, written by the same student, to two different hosts. See how the student has 'tweaked' each letter to the skills of the placement and the mission of the company.
Customise each cover letter to include the values of the organisation, or to list different experiences/ skills that you have that would better your chances of getting hired!
Watch the video:
Hook the reader in - mention a connection with the company.
Be purposeful about what you include- how you meet the requirements of the job description.
Use a simple template - and consider the white space carefully.
Ask a friend/ your mentor/ parent/ reach out to a professional mentor in the UK Alumni chapter to read the job description/ company ethos and ask them to check your cover letter to help make final improvements.
Look at the How to apply for placements on how to use this email template to help you with applying to different establishments. Adjust as necessary.