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How To Write a Cover Letter That Gets You Noticed
How to Write Cover Letter That Gets You Noticed.
A cover letter is your personal pitch, your moment to bridge the gap between your military background and a civilian job. It’s where you show how your unique skills, knowledge, and experiences make you the right fit for the role. It’s also your chance to let hiring managers know what attracts you to their company and role, showing them you’re not just looking for any job, but their job.
Military skills don’t always directly translate into civilian job descriptions. When writing your cover letter, focus on making your experience relatable. Try to explain what you did in the military in terms of skills that are valuable in a civilian setting.
Hiring managers may not be familiar with military language, so translating your experience into everyday terms helps them understand how your skills match the ones that they are looking for. Describe your achievements in a way that emphasizes universal skills like leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Example:
Instead of saying, “Led a battalion in high-stakes operations,” you could say, “Managed a team of over 100 personnel, coordinating logistics, personnel management, and operations to ensure mission success.”
One of the most effective ways to make your cover letter shine is by tailoring it to each role you’re applying for. Read through the job description, pick out the main requirements, and then show how your background aligns with each of them.
How to Do This:
Highlight Key Requirements: Look at the job ad and identify 2-3 key skills or experiences the employer is looking for.
Give Specific Examples: Mention specific situations where you demonstrated these skills in your military service.
Example:
If a job ad mentions the need for project coordination, you could say:
“Throughout my military career, I coordinated multiple large-scale projects, managing everything from team logistics to resource allocation. My role as a platoon leader required strong project management skills, ensuring tasks were completed on time and under budget, a skill I’m excited to bring to your team.”
Research the Company: Look into the company’s values, culture, or recent achievements.
Personalise Your Motivation: Mention why this specific company or role excites you. Maybe it’s their commitment to community service, their innovative approach, or their reputation in the industry.
This show you are genuinely interested and have taken the time to learn about the company. This effort goes a long way in setting you apart from other applicants.
Example:
“I’m particularly excited about joining [Company Name] because of your strong commitment to innovation and community engagement. As someone who values teamwork and service, I am drawn to a role where I can contribute to an organisation that shares these values.”
Think of a Relevant Experience: Choose a specific moment in your military career that shows off your leadership, resilience, or problem-solving skills.
Keep It Short: A sentence or two will do; just enough to give the hiring manager a glimpse of your personality.
Tie It Back to the Job: Make sure the story is relevant to the role you’re applying for.
Example:
“One of the proudest moments of my military career was leading my team through a challenging training exercise. Seeing each member push through obstacles and emerge stronger taught me the power of teamwork and resilience—qualities I’m eager to bring to [Company Name].”
Finish with a Strong Call to Action
The last paragraph of your cover letter should invite the hiring manager to take the next step. Don’t just say “thank you for your time”—close with a confident call to action that encourages them to reach out to you.
Express Your Enthusiasm: Let them know you’re eager to discuss how you can contribute to their team.
Example 1:
“I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my leadership and project management skills can contribute to the continued success of [Company Name]. Thank you for considering my application, and please feel free to contact me at your convenience. I’m excited to bring my skills and dedication to your team.”
Ending on a strong, positive note leaves a lasting impression. It also shows that you’re proactive and ready to take the next step in the hiring process.
Example 2;
I am looking forward to the chance to discuss how my skills can help drive success at [Company Name]. Thank you for considering my application, and please feel free to reach out at your convenience. I am excited about the prospect of contributing to your team and look forward to the opportunity to speak with you.
