How to create a job winning government cover letter or EOI

Within the public service sector, there is a trend away from long and complex applications that require a candidate to address selection criteria.  Instead a candidate simply needs to submit an expression of interest (EOI), or a cover letter (generally 2-pages).

When addressing an EOI, or submitting a cover letter, you still need to address the selection criteria,but instead of answering them in a separate document, simply address the requirements (either directly or indirectly) within the resume and the 2-page cover letter.

Step One

Ensure that your resume incorporates all your skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the position, including incorporating ALL your tangible achievements that demonstrates your capacity to undertake the position (really emphasise your achievements).  You can even use relevant selection criteria methodology within your resume, such as using a STAR – (see example below):

Operations Manager

Woodside Energy (October 2013 – Present)

Instrumental in ensuring organisational compliance with Workplace Health & Safety (The situation and task)

• Designed policy and established training and induction program (action/activity)
• Delivered training across the organisation (action/activity)
• Company awarded Small Contractor Award for Workplace Health & Safety (Result/achievement)
• Lifted overall company performance, by 60% (Result/achievement)

**Don’t incorporate the wording situation and task, action/activity and result/achievement – I just included these for your benefit, so you can see how in practice how this selection criteria model can be utilised within your resume).

Step Two

Indirectly address all the relevant selection criteria within your 2-page cover letter, by summarising your relevant experience and highlighting what you have achieved.  It is unnecessary to provide a separate heading for each selection criterion if you don’t have the space, but make sure you check that all the agency requirements have been addressed before sending in the application (including any desirables).

If you do have the space, you can prepare mini selection criteria responses. For example, if the selection criteria are broken into the headings, Achieves Results, Contributes to Strategic Direction, Communicates with Influence etc. you can use the heading, Achieves results and use a very brief example outlining a project, or task the demonstrates your suitability against the job.

Step Three

Include (any) relevant training relating to position in either your cover letter or resume.

Example framework for a typical 2-page Government cover letter

In the opening incorporate, one or more of the following:

• An understanding of the agency
• Your enthusiasm and passion for the job
• How you can help solve their problems, make money or save money for them

Keep this very tight and short, as you want to save the space for addressing specific requirements.

The Corroboration:

This is where you show an intelligent understanding of the job and how you fill those needs.  Key strategies:

• Utilise and mirror the language used in the job advertisement.  If they require someone that is energetic, use the word energetic or a similar word to describe your soft skills.
• Outline your work history that is relevant to the position.
• Talk about your achievements and quantifiable successes, including using the STAR method.
• Use a checklist to ensure that you have addressed the bulk of the selection criteria listed in the job advertisement.

The close:  A confident finish that invites the reader to take further action.

For example:

Thank you for taking the time to review my application and I look forward to the opportunity to meeting with the selection panel.

If you need examples or more detailed instructions on how to prepare these EOI, 2-page cover letters, I have outlined this in my ebook, How to GET IN and GET PROMOTED in the Public Service Sector.