Read and understand the entire job posting before applying. It’s a given, but each job posting is different, which means different sets of skills are required for the job. Print out a copy of the post and make a checklist to highlight at least 3 skills required for the position. This way, it will be easier to go back to your cover letter to address these points. 

Go into detail. Make sure to explain specific experiences you’ve had that make you the best candidate for the job. Don’t just say, “I did A, B, and C.” For government jobs, it’s best to use numbers, statistics, and specifics. 

Things to Include in Your Cover Letter

Header

The first thing to include in your cover letter is, of course, your contact information. The header must come with your full name, contact number, address, and email address. Place this information at the center, on top of the page. 

Introduction

Your cover letter should properly address the hiring manager, employer, or recruiter. It’s important to address the cover letter using a recruiter’s name and the appropriate title (that is, if it’s possible to get a specific name).

Then, write a short introduction stating the desired government job and why you’d be good for said position. Don’t forget to include one or two previous job experiences that would be relevant to the agency and position. 

Writing the introductory paragraph:

Avoid personal statements of beliefs or judgment without including concrete proof or strong examples that back up such claims. 

WRONG

“With my leadership and supervision, I caused an increase in staff productivity.”

Instead, write it in a way that highlights something that can be proven with figures and numbers. 

RIGHT

“In my role as a manager, I created an employee incentive program that resulted in a 30% increase in staff productivity.”

Career Experience

After the introduction, present a brief overview of your experience as a professional. Here, you must include past relevant job experiences. Use appropriate wording for qualifications, experiences, and skills listed in the job posting. 

Conclusion

Last but not least, your cover letter should end with a strong conclusion. Write down a brief yet concise description of why your skills and qualifications are a perfect match for the government job. 

It’s just as important to sell yourself in the conclusion. Make sure to write down what you can bring to the position and the agency as a whole.  

Refine and Polish Up

A cover letter should always be free of typos, grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and ambiguous statements. Make sure to proofread it thoroughly. Ensure that the date, names, and addresses are correct.

Even the smallest mistakes can be damaging to your credibility as a professional. Read your cover letter aloud to identify sentences or phrases that may seem awkward or unnecessary. Ask a friend to read it, or get a professional writer to help polish up your cover letter. Check out writing companies reviews for expert writing advice and assistance.

Conclusion

A cover letter is a perfect opportunity to make a good and lasting first impression with the recruiter. In fact, it can also determine whether or not the recruiter will even read your resume. 

Sure, crafting a cover letter could be a long and tedious process, but it’s important to allot plenty of time and effort to ensure that your cover letter keeps a potential employer reading.