🔎第三階段 : 應徵職缺
🔺Part 1 : cover letter怎麼寫的5個重點
Cover letter是指在投職缺時，連同履歷和作品集一起寄出的一封信，他是第一眼會被看到的東西，也就是你應徵的第一個門面，關係到你的履歷、作品集會不會被點開來。
Cover letter的主要重點應是敘明自己是如何「符合職缺需求且合適」，並策略性地說服公司「這個人值得花時間來面試」。
1️⃣ 展現你對職缺公司已有了解且相當有興趣
他們在乎的是----你了解我們公司嗎? 為什麼你想加入我們公司? 為了回答以上問題， 研究準備工作不可少，請竭盡你的資源，無論是網路上搜尋或詢問在該公司任職的朋友、老師，徹底研究了解你想要投職缺的這家公司，他們處理的領域是? 做過什麼案子? 公司理念是什麼?
2️⃣ 職缺需求看清楚: 放大優點
公司徵人是必一定有他的需求，請把徵才廣告詳細閱讀--工作內容有哪些? 必須要會用的軟體是?有什麼技能或經驗會加分?
景觀設計要處理的層面很廣，尤其職場新鮮人可能擅長的東西不那麼全面，或是某些軟體不熟練等，因此在cover letter中可以強調你的優點，哪些部分你很擅長，且正好符合該公司的領域，或是正好某個職缺需求中的技能/軟體你相當擅長。
3️⃣ 價值+符合需求= 你就是他們要找的人
綜上所述，cover letter最核心的就是必須展現出「你的價值」，並明確點出「為什麼 他們要用你」的種種客觀條件。畢業生除了要能符合職缺需求外，也要讓人相信你有-- 願意學習的上進心、可栽培的潛能; 若是已經有工作經驗者，可進一步提到你的企圖 心--- 你想要的是什麼? 你的加入能帶給公司什麼?
4️⃣ 毛遂自薦-- 自己創造職缺
若對某間公司有興趣但沒有開缺，你還是可以寄出cover letter和履歷、作品集，展現出你的強烈 興趣與企圖心，往好處想，你就是唯一一個求職者---沒有其他競爭對手!
有很多時候會有意想不到的收穫。建議可以等1-2禮拜後去電，或是再寄一封follow-up email詢問狀 況。
5️⃣ 簽證狀態及需求
若已有簽證能在英國工作或實習者，別忘記在cover letter最後提及你現在的簽證種類、可以工作的時數、簽證到期日等資訊; 但如果你需要工作簽證者，除了主動說明外，不主動提起也是個選項，與其讓公司因為簽證問題拒你於門外，何不先用履歷和作品集打動他們，說服公司你是值得的人選比較重要。
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🔎Stage 3 : Applying for a job position
🔺Part 1 : How to write a cover letter + 5 key points
The cover letter is a key document sent in along with your resume and portfolio for a job application. It is the first item employers would see when reviewing your job application, and hence their first impression of you. The purpose of the cover letter is to grab their attention and convince them to have a look at your resume and portfolio. The contents should give an insight of your attitude, achievements, skills, experience and why you are the best candidate for the job position. You need to convince the employer that you fit in with their company culture and that you are worth the time and effort for an interview.
1️⃣ Display your understanding and interest for the job position.
Few key questions employers ask when recruiting – Do you know our company philosophy, values and culture? Why do you want to join our company? They want to know if you are genuinely interested in them, and motivated to perform if hired.
To answer these questions, prior research and preparation is indispensable to do well. Tap into online resources, talks and the network of people – peers/seniors you know that work for the company, colleagues and teachers to thoroughly familiarize and understand the company – How does the company function? How do the teams work? What type of projects do they deal with? Which projects have they completed?
2️⃣ Understand the job requirements: Magnify your strengths.
Read in detail the company job posting advertisements – What specific needs and requirements are they looking for? What basic software skills do they require? What additional skills and experience would value-add to your application?
Landscape architects need to deal with a wide range of jobscope. For young professionals whom just joined the field, it may be tough to display a comprehensive amount of matured skillset. As such, emphasize your strengths in the cover letter and abilities that you are confident will meet the job requirements.
3️⃣ Value + Meeting requirements = YOU ARE THE CHOSEN ONE!
In summary, the purpose of the cover letter is to show your "value" and clearly point out to the employer why they should hire you. Fresh graduates should not only be able to meet the basic requirements of the job position, but also display your thirst to learn, goals and that you have potential. If you already have work experience, you can mention your ambitions – What to you want to achieve? What value can you add to the company?
4️⃣ Self-recommendation – Creating your own job vacancy.
If you are interested in a particular company that is not hiring, you can still send in your application documents to show your strong interest and initiative. Do not be afraid as there likely won’t be other competitors, you might also gain unexpected benefits instead.
After sending in your application, it is recommended to wait for 1-2 weeks before calling, or sending another email for a follow-up action.
5️⃣ VISA status and requirements.
Even if you already have a visa to work or intern in the UK, do mention these details at the end of the cover letter – Current visa type, eligible working hours, visa expiry date, etc.
If you require a work visa, some people suggest to be explicit about it while some suggest to not bring up the matter until the company ask due to the fear of their application being directly rejected prior to considerations.
However, rather than spending time worrying over visa employment issues, why not work on your resume and portfolio to impress and convince the company that you are a candidate worthy for the effort to hire in the first place.
